Justice Department Defends TikTok Divestiture Law Amid National Security Concerns

The Justice Department has urged a U.S. appeals court to uphold a law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok's U.S. assets by January 19, or face a ban. The government cites national security threats from Chinese ownership, arguing that TikTok could be used to manipulate information and access Americans' data.

The Justice Department late on Friday urged a U.S. appeals court to reject challenges to a law mandating China-based ByteDance divest TikTok's U.S. assets by January 19, or face a ban. TikTok, ByteDance, and a group of TikTok creators have filed suits against the law, which could impact 170 million American users.

The department will present national security concerns involving ByteDance's ownership of TikTok. A classified document detailing additional security issues and declarations from the FBI, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and Justice Department's National Security Division will also be submitted, according to a senior official.

The Justice Department argues that TikTok under Chinese ownership poses a severe national security threat by having access to Americans' personal data and the ability to manipulate information viewed by users. Signed by President Biden on April 24, the law requires ByteDance to divest TikTok by January 19 or face a ban on the app.

The department dismisses TikTok's claims that the law violates First Amendment rights, emphasizing it is focused on addressing security concerns rather than limiting speech. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia will hear oral arguments on September 16, amid the final weeks of the 2024 presidential election.

The law bans app stores like Apple and Alphabet's Google from offering TikTok and restricts internet hosting services from supporting the app unless ByteDance divests. This legislation was overwhelmingly passed by Congress due to fears that China could exploit TikTok to access Americans' data.

(With inputs from agencies.)