TikTok, ByteDance Sue US, Call ‘Foreign Adversary’ Law ‘Unconstitutional,’ Wants it Blocked

There is no holding back for TikTok and ByteDance as they filed their promised lawsuit against the United States government for the recently approved "Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications" law, which is on its way to banning the app.

TikTok and its CEO previously revealed that they will file a suit against the US if the bill is approved into law, which is known for threatening the app's operations in the country.

For several months, TikTok faced hearings and legal fights behind the US' deliberations, urging the public to protest against this and stop it from becoming law.

TikTok, ByteDance Sue US on 'Foreign Adversary' Law

TikTok and ByteDance finally filed their complaint and lawsuit against the United States government, sent to the District of Columbia Circuit, US Court of Appeals marking the beginning of its legal battle.

This goes against the recently signed "Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications" law that has the authoritative power to ban TikTok and its operations in the country.

While it gives TikTok an option to continue operating in the country, neither TikTok nor ByteDance is willing to divest and go their separate ways.

The complaint calls this new law "unconstitutional," stating that this ban could "silence" as many as 170 million Americans using the platform, going against the First Amendment's free speech provision.

Read Also: TikTok Ban: No Selling, Divest Operations Amidst US Shut Down Threats

TikTok Wants to Block US Law That Will Ban Them

Furthermore, TikTok and ByteDance want the court to issue a prohibiting enforcement order on the law, a.k.a. to block it and prevent it from compelling the social media to sell to an American company.

TikTok said the government is not allowed to "dictate the ownership" of media entities like newspapers, websites, online platforms, and more, including themselves, under the Constitution's First Amendment.

TikTok vs. US: New Law and Looming Ban

Initially known as the RESTRICT Act from the US House of Representatives under Rep. Mike Gallagher and other sponsors, the Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications law was recently approved by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden.

It first passed through Congress and the Senate before being handed over to the POTUS, and Biden was known for supporting it while it was still under review.

Threats against TikTok's operations are massive, and its days are numbered before it takes effect. They have 180 days to sell to a US company or face the ban.

However, TikTok previously vowed that it would do everything in its power to stay as it is, previously claiming that there would be a legal battle once this passes as a law.

That time is now, as TikTok went on the offensive and filed a complaint against the US in the Appeals court, looking to counter the recently signed law and continue its setup.

TikTok and ByteDance are not letting this slide, as it plans to remain one entity for its continued US operations, calling this law unconstitutional and wanting to block it for their cause.