TikTok: The video app is particularly popular with young people
Photo: MANJUNATH KIRAN / AFPTikTok has made drastic statements about the planned decision by US President Donald Trump, which is apparently intended to force the sale of the US business of the Chinese video platform. The company, a subsidiary of the Chinese group ByteDance, announced legal action.
The US President signed an ordinance on Thursday that would ban US companies from doing business with ByteDance when it comes into force in 45 days. Donald Trump sees the app as a "threat" to national security. TikTok collects huge amounts of data from its users, it is said, and could enable the Chinese Communist Party to spy on Americans, according to Trump (read more details about the dispute over TikTok here).
"We are shocked by the recent order that was issued without due process," said TikTok. "For nearly a year now, we have endeavored to work in good faith with the US government to find a constructive solution to the concerns raised." In doing so, however, it was found that the US government is paying no heed to facts: conditions are being dictated without going through the usual legal process. In addition, the government has tried to get involved in negotiations between private companies, according to TikTok, which is currently negotiating with Microsoft to sell its business in the US and other countries.
TikTok feels treated unfairly
TikTok's statement went on to say, "and that our company and our users are treated fairly - if not by the government, then they will" use all legal means at our disposal to ensure that the rule of law is not jettisoned by the US courts. " The company's statement also states: "We have made it clear that TikTok has never given user data to the Chinese government or censored content at their request."
The text of the order makes it clear that Trump relied on unnamed "reports" without quotations, TikTok's statement also suggests. The company speaks of "concerns that the app 'could' be used for misinformation campaigns without being substantiated" and of "data collection concerns," which are inappropriate for the industry as a whole.
Icon: The mirrorhej / dpa
