2024-04-22 17:40:42
Elon Musk expressed his opposition to a possible ban on the TikTok application in the United States, days before the vote on the law.
This comes at a time when US representatives are preparing to vote over the weekend on a law that may ultimately lead to banning the platform, which is very popular in the United States.
Musk said in a post on the “X” platform, which he purchased at the end of 2022: “In my opinion, TikTok should not be banned in the United States, knowing that this ban may benefit the X platform.”
He considered that “a similar decision conflicts with freedom of expression.” This is not what the United States stands for.”
American officials believe that TikTok allows Beijing to spy on and manipulate its users in the United States.
The US House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on Saturday on an aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, and on a law regarding the social network.
If the law comes into effect, the Chinese owner of the TikTok application (ByteDance) will be forced to sell it within a few months, otherwise it will be banned from the US Apple and Google app stores.
A TikTok spokesperson said last Thursday: “It is unfortunate that the House of Representatives is using the pretext of significant foreign and humanitarian aid to pass a law that would violate the free expression rights of 170 million Americans.”
In the comments under Musk’s post, “X” users expressed concern that banning TikTok would set a precedent that could be used against other social networks.
The law directed against ByteDance would give the US President the authority to classify other applications as threats to national security if a country considered hostile to the United States controls them.
Last updated: April 20, 2024 – 20:55
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2024-04-22 17:40:42