President Joe Biden recently signed a law that may lead to a ban on TikTok or force its sale. This decision followed quick approvals by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The popular app, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, is now facing legal battles.
California Senator Laphonza Butler, who supported the legislation, has raised concerns about the impact of such a ban on American jobs.
She highlighted that around 8,000 people work for TikTok in the United States, primarily in California and New York. The potential ban or forced sale of TikTok could put these jobs and the workers' families at risk.
Butler urged the Biden administration to think about the American workers who might be affected by these decisions. She pointed out the significant role these employees have played in TikTok's success and emphasized the need for a balanced approach that considers labor and economic impacts alongside national security concerns.
Historically, attempts to ban TikTok have faced legal hurdles. Former President Donald Trump's executive order to ban the app was blocked by the courts in 2020. Similarly, a state ban in Montana was overturned in November 2023 after a judge ruled it unconstitutional.
Support for TikTok also comes from civil rights groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). They argue that banning TikTok could suppress free speech and limit Americans' access to international media and information. Activists stress that such a move would infringe on the First Amendment rights of U.S. citizens.
The debate continues as the administration weighs the risks against potential impacts on thousands of American workers and their families. Former President Donald Trump's executive order to ban the app was blocked by the courts in 2020. Similarly, a state ban in Montana was overturned in November 2023 after a judge ruled it unconstitutional.
Support for TikTok also comes from civil rights groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). They argue that banning TikTok could suppress free speech and limit Americans' access to international media and information. Activists stress that such a move would infringe on the First Amendment rights of U.S. citizens.
The debate continues as the administration weighs the risks against potential impacts on thousands of American workers and their families.
Image: DIW-Aigen
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California Senator Laphonza Butler, who supported the legislation, has raised concerns about the impact of such a ban on American jobs.
She highlighted that around 8,000 people work for TikTok in the United States, primarily in California and New York. The potential ban or forced sale of TikTok could put these jobs and the workers' families at risk.
Butler urged the Biden administration to think about the American workers who might be affected by these decisions. She pointed out the significant role these employees have played in TikTok's success and emphasized the need for a balanced approach that considers labor and economic impacts alongside national security concerns.
Historically, attempts to ban TikTok have faced legal hurdles. Former President Donald Trump's executive order to ban the app was blocked by the courts in 2020. Similarly, a state ban in Montana was overturned in November 2023 after a judge ruled it unconstitutional.
Support for TikTok also comes from civil rights groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). They argue that banning TikTok could suppress free speech and limit Americans' access to international media and information. Activists stress that such a move would infringe on the First Amendment rights of U.S. citizens.
The debate continues as the administration weighs the risks against potential impacts on thousands of American workers and their families. Former President Donald Trump's executive order to ban the app was blocked by the courts in 2020. Similarly, a state ban in Montana was overturned in November 2023 after a judge ruled it unconstitutional.
Support for TikTok also comes from civil rights groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). They argue that banning TikTok could suppress free speech and limit Americans' access to international media and information. Activists stress that such a move would infringe on the First Amendment rights of U.S. citizens.
The debate continues as the administration weighs the risks against potential impacts on thousands of American workers and their families.
Read next: YouTube Backtracks On Its Website Design Test After Overwhelming Criticism
