TikTok has finally responded to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, saying they are not going anywhere after her threatened to ban the Chinese-owned video app from the US.
In a statement released by a spokesperson for the company, the platform disclosed that they have provided millions of Americans with “entertainment and connection” during the coronavirus pandemic and denied criticism that its Chinese owner shares user information with Beijing.
“TikTok US user data is stored in the US, with strict controls on employee access. TikTok’s biggest investors come from the US. We are committed to protecting our users’ privacy and safety as we continue working to bring joy to families and meaningful careers to those who create on our platform,” the spokesperson said.
TikTik also released a video on Saturday featuring U.S. General Manager Vanessa Pappas defending the app and touting U.S. jobs and other measures taken by the company, CNB Network reports.
“We’re not planning on going anywhere,” Pappas says in the video, adding later, “We’re here for the long run.”
The pushback came after Trump warned on Friday evening that he could use emergency powers or an executive order as soon as this weekend to bar the platform from operating in the U.S.
“As far as TikTok is concerned, we’re banning them from the United States,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Friday.
The American Civil Liberties Union also panned Trump’s announcement, saying banning TikTok would be “a danger to free expression and technologically impractical.”
