US Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban, Impacting 170 Million Users
The US Supreme Court ruled on Friday in favor of a law that will effectively ban TikTok in the United States, a decision that could cut off access to the popular video-sharing app for approximately 170 million users within days.
In a major setback for TikTok, the justices determined that the ban does not violate free speech rights, emphasizing that the US government had presented credible national security concerns regarding the app’s Chinese ownership.
National Security Concerns Outweigh Free Speech Claims
Last week, the Supreme Court heard arguments from ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, which contended that the law should be blocked on the grounds that it infringed upon free speech.
“There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok serves as a unique and extensive platform for self-expression, engagement, and community-building,” the justices acknowledged in their ruling.
However, they upheld Congress’s decision that divesting TikTok from Chinese ownership was essential to addressing well-documented national security risks associated with its data collection practices and ties to a foreign adversary.
With this ruling, the ban—set to take effect on Sunday—remains in place, despite bipartisan calls for a delay.
Legislation and Political Responses
In response to mounting concerns in Washington that TikTok could be exploited by China for espionage or propaganda, Congress passed a law last year requiring ByteDance to either sell the platform or cease operations in the US by January 19.
White House officials stated on Friday that they would not enforce the ban immediately, leaving the decision to President-elect Donald Trump, who assumes office the following day.
Trump confirmed that he had discussed TikTok with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a phone conversation on Friday.
A Possible Extension?
Speaking with Fox News, Trump’s incoming National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz, suggested that measures were being explored to prevent TikTok from shutting down entirely.
“The legislation allows for an extension if there’s a viable deal in progress,” Waltz explained. “This essentially gives President Trump time to find a solution that keeps TikTok operational.”
He noted that the app has been a crucial platform for Trump’s campaign to promote his “America First” message while also emphasizing the need to safeguard user data.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer also called for a delay in implementing the ban, arguing that more time is needed to secure an American buyer and prevent disruptions for millions of users, particularly influencers who rely on the platform for their livelihoods.
Potential Next Steps
To enforce the ban, the US government would require Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores, preventing new downloads. The restrictions are expected to take effect just before Trump’s inauguration.
TikTok’s legal team warned that if the ban proceeds without intervention from the Supreme Court, the platform could be forced to shut down in the US as early as Sunday. Reports indicate that the company is preparing to suspend its services entirely.
Despite this, Trump has repeatedly expressed support for preserving TikTok and has been exploring strategies to delay the ban or find an alternative solution.
Once in office, his administration will be responsible for enforcing the law. The attorney general could choose to postpone implementation or decline to enforce the ban altogether, potentially defying Congress’s decision.
Amid intense lobbying efforts to prevent the ban, TikTok CEO Shou Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday.
TikTok has yet to issue an official response regarding the ruling.
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