US Court Of Appeal Strengthens Divestment Rules Against TikTok

JAKARTA The decision of TikTok and ByteDance, its parent company, to counter US divestment laws does not go well. The reason is, the court actually makes decisions that harm them.

A few months ago, TikTok filed a lawsuit to a US federal appeals court over a law that forced it to part with ByteDance. According to TikTok, the actions of the US government undermine the freedom of speech rights of its users.

However, on Friday, December 6, a panel of three judges at the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia decided to support the government. The judge also stated that they sided with the government due to national security considerations.

TikTok is considered a threat because it has considerable access to US public personal data. China is suspected of being able to manipulate information received by the public through the platform.

Therefore, separating TikTok from ByteDance is still considered the best decision, even considered an important step in hindering the Chinese government. That way, China cannot make TikTok their weapon.

This decision is a big victory for the Department of Justice (DOJ) and a number of regulators or parties who oppose China's application. This decision also strengthens divestment laws that TikTok needs to comply with.

TikTok seems to be going against the law as it separates itself from ByteDance can harm them. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew also told his employees that they would continue to fight the divestment coercion.

"Although today's news is disappointing, rest assured we will continue to fight to protect free speech on our platform," Shou Zi Chew said in a staff email.