A group of TikTok creators filed a lawsuit on Tuesday seeking to block a law signed by President Joe Biden that would force the divestiture or ban of the popular short video app used by 170 million Americans.

The creators argue that TikTok has had "a profound effect on American life" and provides them with a "unique and irreplaceable means to express themselves and form community."

The creators suing include content creators from across the country, such as a Marine Corps veteran selling ranch products, a woman discussing parenting, a college coach providing sports commentary, a hip hop artist sharing Biblical quizzes, and a recent graduate advocating for sexual assault survivors' rights. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they are united in their view that TikTok allows valuable self-expression.

The lawsuit, filed in the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, argues that the law threatens free speech and "promises to shutter a discrete medium of communication that has become part of American life." It claims the national security concerns cited are "speculative" and could be addressed through narrower legislation.

This legal challenge follows a similar lawsuit filed last week by TikTok and its parent company ByteDance. The recently passed law gives ByteDance until January 2025 to sell TikTok or face a potential ban, prohibiting app stores and internet services from enabling access to the app.

The White House aims to end Chinese ownership of the app over national security worries but wants a sale rather than an outright ban. However, the TikTok lawsuit argues divestiture is "simply not possible" and the law will force a shutdown.

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