TikTok boldly rallied its American users on Friday, urging them to contact senators and oppose a bill that could ban the popular short-form video app.
The bill proposes the ban if TikTok fails to sever ties with its parent company, ByteDance, a Chinese tech giant.
Biden’s Stance on Proposed Legislation
The notification, which appeared for select users, emphasized the importance of their voices in influencing the Senate’s decision. It prompted users to reach out to their senators and ask them to vote against the proposed ban, with an option to locate their senator’s phone number by entering their zip code.
The urgency of the situation was underscored in the notification, warning users that the future of creativity and beloved communities on TikTok hung in the balance pending the Senate’s decision. The call to action comes hot on the heels of the US House of Representatives’ decisive vote in favor of the bill.
This legislation grants ByteDance a six-month window to divest its US assets from TikTok or face an outright ban. With pressure mounting, the White House has urged the Senate to act swiftly, with President Joe Biden signaling his willingness to sign the bill into law.
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TikTok’s Community Engagement
A TikTok spokesperson affirmed the company’s commitment to keeping its community informed about the potential impact of the ban and encouraging active engagement. However, the alert was selectively targeted, appearing only to users of voting age.
Remarkably, the notification was strategically designed to appear prominently for users as soon as they opened the app, as well as during searches pertaining to the proposed ban, thereby guaranteeing optimal visibility and effectiveness in conveying its message.
This isn’t the first time TikTok has mobilized its user base in defense of its platform. Ahead of the House vote, similar alerts were sent out, warning users about the imminent threat to their cherished TikTok community.
Lawmakers have reported being inundated with calls from TikTok users voicing their opposition to the proposed legislation, highlighting the platform’s significant influence and the passionate support it commands among its user base.
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