‘We will not stop advocating for you,’ TikTok CEO responds to potential ban of the app in the U.S.

(Courtesy: @TikTok/TikTok, Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

The CEO of TikTok Shou Zi Chew posted a video responding to the U.S. House of Representatives vote to ban TikTok and how it could affect more than 300,000 American jobs if the platform is taken away. 

On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill that would require TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the company or face a ban to its over 170 million American users. 

U.S. officials have expressed concerns about alleged risks to national security and user safety.

They have also expressed fears that ByteDance could be secretly controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, which the CEO has previously denied allegations.

“ByteDance is not owned or controlled by the Chinese government,” TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew said in a testimony before the Congress in March 2023.

Chew also responded in a TikTok video on Wednesday addressing the potential ban in the United States. 

@tiktok

Response to TikTok Ban Bill

♬ original sound – TikTok – TikTok

“Over the last few years, we have invested to keep your data safe and our platform free from outside manipulation. We have committed that we will continue to do so,” Chew said. 

He also mentioned that video creators and small businesses would be affected by the ban.

“It will put more than 300,000 American jobs at risk and it will take away your TikTok,” he said.

He also addressed how it has given 170 million users a space to express themselves and empowered more than seven million businesses in the U.S.

President Joe Biden also recently told reporters he supports banning the Chinese-owned app.

“If they pass it, I’ll sign it,” Biden said. 

Many online creators have expressed concerns because they said they rely on the platform as a source of income. 

@bran__flakezz

keep posting, don’t panic, and let’s hope there is no TikTok ban #tiktokban #keeptiktok

♬ original sound – bran_flakezz

@corabrei

The TikTok ban will completely destroy the creator economy because TikTok competitors like Meta and YouTube do not care about their creators. These platforms are set up so only the top percentage of creators can monetize, which will completely wipe out the small creator economy. they only care about making money and have copied TikTok ‘s features with significantly less opportunity to monetize OR grow on their platforms. #tiktokban #keeptiktok #creator #creatoreconomy #smallbusiness #savetiktok #fyp #foryou #viral #viralnews

♬ original sound – Cora Brei

TikTok’s CEO says it will use its legal rights to protect the platform.

“We will not stop advocating for you and we will continue to do all we can,” Chew said.

In addition, he encourages people to protect their constitutional rights and to continue to make their voices heard to friends, family and senators.