Dear President Biden

Dear President Biden,

Banning TikTok would be a serious error. While we acknowledge concerns regarding national security and personal data protection, we are reassured by the efforts of the TikTok team, particularly through Project Texas, which has seen them invest $1.5 billion of their own funds, surpassing the measures of any other American-owned social media company to safeguard our data.

However, let's address the reality of this bill. It's not about divestment; if it were, we'd be willing to engage in constructive dialogue to facilitate a transition while safeguarding our freedom of expression. Instead, this bill outright bans TikTok, with its authors and congressional supporters openly expressing their desire to do so. Here are several reasons why passing this bill would be a mistake:

TikTok serves as a platform for us to share our stories and spread joy, amplifying voices that might otherwise go unheard. In a world where truth is often elusive, TikTok has become a vital medium for storytelling.
Many of us rely on TikTok for income, supporting ourselves and our families while also inspiring others to do the same. This aligns with your focus on job creation and economic prosperity for Americans, particularly the younger generation.
While national security is paramount, TikTok users do not feel endangered, and there's no substantial evidence to warrant distrust in the app.
In an election year, alienating young voters by banning TikTok would be counterproductive. The platform has proven to be invaluable for education on various issues, including vaccine information and voter registration.
A blanket ban is not the solution. Instead, if the concern is genuinely about national security, the bill should allow for flexibility, ensuring that TikTok remains a global space for connection while implementing measures to address security concerns gradually.

Finally, our advocacy for TikTok is not a threat but a declaration of our commitment to protecting a platform that is integral to our livelihoods and sources of joy. We will continue to mobilize and utilize our platforms to defend TikTok, even though it comes at the opportunity cost of collaborating on other important initiatives like voter turnout. We invite open dialogue and engagement on this matter. Signed below are those of us who share this sentiment and are willing to discuss further.

Sincerely,

Nadya Okamoto (@nadyaokamoto 4.1m)

Morgan Presley (@morganpresley 5.6m)

Jessica Fuen (@alexandjessica 2.4m)

Linzy Taylor (@thelinzytaylor 1.9m)

Jennifer Mika (@jennifermika_ 1.1m)

Danielle Marie (@danielleelliott__ 1m)

Issa Okamoto (@issaokamoto 935k)

Tiffany Remington (@ustheremingtons 743.2k)

Tonya Morris (@tonyamichelle26 590.6k)

Peter Beadle (@psychopetro 509.3k)

ItsMikeCheck (@itsmikecheck 435.6k)