Popular social media platform TikTok will soon be no longer on some federal government-issued phones over continued concerns that the China-based app may be stealing personal security information.
This week, members of the U.S. House of Representatives and their staffs will have to delete TikTok off any phones managed by Congress. According to Fox News’ Ashley Strohmier, the move will be made by Thursday at the latest.
The U.S. and the popular social media app’s parent company, ByteDance, are embroiled in a multilayered legal battle that will determine if – or how – TikTok will continue to operate in the country.
Lawmakers in both the House and Senate passed legislation in April requiring ByteDance to sell the platform to an approved buyer by a tentative shutdown date of Jan. 19, 2025, if it wants to continue operating in the U.S. Democratic President Joe Biden later signed the legislation as the Department of Justice (DOJ) vouches that the platform is a national security concern with the rival country being able to use it to not only steal users’ data but to spread pro-China propaganda.
In response, a group of diverse content creators – including Mississippi’s very own, conservative rapper Christopher “Topher” Townsend – joined forces to file suit against the U.S. government. Claiming elected officials are trying to censor them and others who use TikTok to practice free speech. Townsend, in a video posted after the May filing, made it clear that he believes the government trying to nix the social media app “especially when they haven’t provided evidence” is a violation of his Constitutional rights.
“I’m against government overreach,” the Air Force veteran and musician said. “Specifically to the TikTok ban, this is an infringement upon our First Amendment right. As Americans, we should be able to choose whatever app we want to use.
“The government doesn’t have the right to tell us what we can’t use, especially when they haven’t provided evidence to show the danger of said app that is unique to TikTok and not common on other social media platforms. I’m fighting against it because that’s what
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