A top First Amendment law firm is organizing a lawsuit of creators and small businesses to challenge a new law that could potentially lead to a nationwide ban on TikTok. President Joe Biden recently signed a bill that would force the app to be shut down unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells the app to an American owner. TikTok CEO Shou Chew and his team have vowed to fight back in court, with efforts already underway just 24 hours after the law was passed. The law firm leading the charge is Davis Wright Tremaine, which has a history of success in similar cases, including suing Montana over its TikTok ban last year and thwarting former President Donald Trump’s attempt to ban the app in 2020.
Davis Wright Tremaine has contacted TikTok creators across the country to invite them to join the potential lawsuit, although neither TikTok nor the law firm have commented on their collaboration, whether TikTok is funding the suit, or how many creators and small businesses have signed on so far. Business owner Puneet Nanda, who found success on TikTok and became the top seller on TikTok Shop, has been approached about joining a lawsuit but is still considering his options. Nanda expressed concerns about the negative impact of the ban discussions on his business, noting a significant drop in sales in recent weeks due to customers’ uncertainty about the app’s future. Despite the potential legal battle ahead, Nanda is cautious about opposing the U.S. government and plans to consult with his legal team before making a decision.
In addition to Davis Wright Tremaine’s efforts, other lawyers are reportedly working on lawsuits against the TikTok ban, seeking to gather support from impacted creators and businesses. Creator Vitus “V” Spehar, known for his popular @UnderTheDeskNews account on TikTok, mentioned in a video that he had been contacted by a lawyer about joining a class action lawsuit to challenge the ban. Another TikToker, @BlackJackAmerican, with 84,000 followers, is also said to be organizing a class action suit and has provided information on his TikTok profile about stopping the ban. TikTok itself is mobilizing its huge user base to protest the potential shutdown, encouraging its 170 million American users to contact Congress to voice their opposition. The company is actively working to enlist support from creators, small businesses, and users to fight back against the ban.
The looming threat of a nationwide ban on TikTok has sparked a flurry of legal activity and grassroots organizing among creators, small businesses, and users who rely on the platform for income and entertainment. With the potential for significant economic repercussions, individuals like Puneet Nanda are weighing their options carefully before deciding whether to join the legal challenge against the ban. As discussions about the ban continue to impact businesses and users alike, the fight to keep TikTok operational in the U.S. is gaining momentum. Whether through legal action, grassroots campaigns, or executive intervention, the battle to save TikTok from being shut down is growing more intense by the day. Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding story as creators, businesses, and advocates join forces to defend their rights to free speech and online expression.
