TikTok’s Erich Andersen, currently serving as general counsel for both TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance, will transition out of his role in June.
His focus will shift towards combating efforts aimed at compelling a sale of the popular video-sharing app in the United States.
This strategic move comes amidst increasing pressure on TikTok following recent legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden, allowing ByteDance 270 days to divest TikTok in the U.S. or face a ban.
Remaining within the company, Andersen will take on the position of special counsel, spearheading TikTok’s legal endeavors to challenge the newly enacted legislation.
TikTok has announced its intention to file a lawsuit in opposition, although specifics regarding the timing of the legal action remain undisclosed.
Andersen’s past contributions were instrumental in thwarting previous attempts by the Trump administration to ban TikTok in 2020 and in successfully contesting Montana’s ban last year.
TikTok asserts its commitment to protecting U.S. user data from any potential sharing with the Chinese government, citing First Amendment principles in its forthcoming legal battle.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew expressed gratitude for Andersen’s dedication and highlighted the significance of his new role in navigating the company through this critical period.
Chew expressed confidence in TikTok’s ability to prevail in the legal arena, emphasizing the importance of maintaining access for the platform’s 170 million American users.
President Biden’s signing of the legislation establishes a January 19 deadline for TikTok’s divestment, with the possibility of a three-month extension should ByteDance demonstrate progress towards compliance.
The bill’s passage reflects widespread concerns among U.S. lawmakers regarding potential data access and surveillance by China through TikTok, underscoring the broader geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing in the realm of technology and the internet.