WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – TikTok’s latest court filing details its fight against the federal government’s potential ban of the app in the United States. Congress passed a law that could ban TikTok from the app store, if it doesn’t change owners.
The filing said the federal government’s potential ban of the act violated the First Amendment. It also said TikTok worked with the federal government on a 90-page draft agreement, that would’ve addressed the government’s concerns.
Instead, the filing said, Congress chose to force the sale or ban the app.
Earlier this week, the Federal Trade Commission referred a complaint to the Department of Justice, alleging TikTok violated or will violate the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
“The FTC’s investigation of these companies began in connection with our order compliance review of Musical.ly following a 2019 settlement,” the FTC’s statement said.
It noted the FTC doesn’t normally release statements when it refers a complaint, but released one this time because it was in the public interest.
A Department of Justice spokesperson said the department consulted with FTC before the referral. “As always, the Department will be guided by the facts and the law as well as our responsibility to protect the American people.”
TikTok, for its part said, it remains committed to protecting children.
“We strongly disagree with the FTC’s allegations, many of which relate to past events and practices that are factually inaccurate or have been addressed,” a spokesperson said.
The filing in court said TikTok has 170 million users in the United States, who have made more than 5.5 billion videos. Oral arguments challenging the potential ban are scheduled for later this year.
