TikTok has faced scrutiny from U.S.

 

1. • 
     TikTok, a popular short-video platform owned by the Chinese company ByteDance,
     has faced scrutiny from U.S. authorities over concerns related to data privacy and national security.
   • The U.S. government has raised suspicions that TikTok could potentially allow the Chinese government to access user data of millions of Americans.

2. Recent Legal Developments:

   • The U.S. Congress passed a new law that requires ByteDance to sell TikTok within 12 months or face removal from app stores like Apple and Google in the United States.
   • The law aims to address the perceived risks associated with foreign ownership of popular social media platforms.
   • TikTok and various organizations argue that this law violates freedom of expression guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
   • The legal battle may escalate to the U.S. Supreme Court.

3. Key Points:

   • The law mandates ByteDance to sever its ties with TikTok and sell it to non-Chinese investors within 270 days (extendable by the White House for an additional 90 days).
   • A temporary injunction has been issued, suggesting that the reasons cited for the ban may be exaggerated and that freedom of expression is at stake.
   • Experts believe that the Supreme Court may consider arguments related to national security threats posed by the app.

4. Historical Context:

   • TikTok has been under scrutiny by U.S. authorities for years, with allegations of potential espionage by Beijing.
   • In 2020, TikTok successfully suspended a ban imposed by the Trump administration through a legal appeal