Billionaire tech tycoon Elon Musk opposed the move to ban TikTok in the U.S., stating that it would conflict with the First Amendment and is not in line with American principles.
Musk mentioned that while the ban would probably help social media platform X, which he acquired in October 2022, he does not endorse the prohibition.
“In my opinion, TikTok should not be banned in the USA, even though such a ban may benefit the X platform,” Musk said on Friday. “Doing so would be contrary to freedom of speech and expression. It is not what America stands for.” wrote The CEO of Tesla’s stance on the matter comes shortly after House GOP leaders introduced a bill focusing on national security priorities. The bill includes language that would bar TikTok use in the U.S. if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, fails to cut ties with the Chinese Communist Party within a year.
The modified provision would extend ByteDance’s time to sell the app from six months to a year, a change welcomed by Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.). unveiled Cantwell expressed her support for the modification on Wednesday, a crucial development for the legislation gaining more backing in the upper chamber.
The original bill, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversarial Controlled Applications Act, was put forward last month and passed the House just a week later, but has faced opposition, even from former President Trump.
“I’m very happy that Speaker [Mike] Johnson [R-La.] and House leaders incorporated my recommendation to extend the ByteDance divestment period from six months to a year,” Cantwell announced on Wednesday. “As I’ve said, extending the divestment period is necessary to ensure there is enough time for a new buyer to get a deal done. I support this updated legislation.”
Musk’s view on the ban aligns him with progressive Democrats who have raised similar concerns about the legislation potentially infringing on users’ free speech. President Biden has stated that if the TikTok bill passes through both chambers, he will sign it. Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk spoke out against the effort to ban TikTok in the U.S., saying it would be in conflict with the First Amendment and it is “not what America stands for.” Musk added that while the ban would likely benefit social media platform X — which he purchased in October 2022 —…
“I’m very happy that Speaker [Mike] Johnson [R-La.] and House leaders incorporated my recommendation to extend the ByteDance divestment period from six months to a year,” Cantwell said Wednesday. “As I’ve said, extending the divestment period is necessary to ensure there is enough time for a new buyer to get a deal done. I support this updated legislation.”
Musk’s position on the ban aligns him with progressive Democrats who have voiced similar concerns regarding the legislation potentially encroaching on the free speech of users.
President Biden has said that if the TikTok bill passes through both chambers, he will sign it into law.
