TikTok Responds to President Trump’s Executive Order to Ban its Service in U.S.

In response to President Donald Trump’s executive order to block all U.S. transactions with ByteDance’s TikTok, the Chinese-based video-sharing social networking service has just issued an official statement explaining how the U.S. government has dictated terms of an agreement without going through standard legal processes.

Tiktok

“We are shocked by the recent Executive Order, which was issued without any due process,” notes TikTok, while noting that it has been seeking to engage with the US government or almost a year to provide a constructive solution to the concerns that have been expressed. 

The company continues that it has never shared user data with the Chinese government, nor censored content at its request, and has also made its moderation guidelines and algorithm source code available in its Transparency Center. “We even expressed our willingness to pursue a full sale of the US business to an American company.”

This Executive Order risks undermining global businesses’ trust in the United States’ commitment to the rule of law, which has served as a magnet for investment and spurred decades of American economic growth. And it sets a dangerous precedent for the concept of free expression and open markets.

We want the 100 million Americans who love our platform because it is your home for expression, entertainment, and connection to know: TikTok has never, and will never, waver in our commitment to you.

TikTok says it will pursue every available option, including the U.S. courts, to ensure that “the rule of law is not discarded” and that the company and its users are treated fairly.

TikTok’s full statement is available at this link.

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