Washington, In a landmark decision, the US Supreme Court has upheld a law that bans TikTok in the United States, potentially blocking access to the popular video-sharing app for 170 million users. The ruling, delivered on Friday, marks a significant defeat for TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, as it contended that the ban infringed upon free speech rights.
The court determined that the US government had sufficiently demonstrated legitimate national security concerns regarding a Chinese company owning TikTok. “For more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression,” the justices acknowledged. However, they concluded that “Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary.”
Despite calls from lawmakers and officials for a delay, the ban is set to take effect on Sunday. Congress had previously passed a law requiring ByteDance to sell the platform or cease operations in the United States by January 19, amid fears that the app could be used by China for espionage or propaganda.
White House officials indicated that they would not enforce the ban, leaving enforcement decisions to President-elect Donald Trump, who assumes office the following day. Trump mentioned discussing TikTok in a recent conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Incoming National Security Advisor Mike Waltz assured Fox News that measures would be implemented to prevent TikTok from “going dark.” He noted that the legislation allows for an extension if a viable deal is in negotiation, giving the Trump administration time to keep TikTok operational while addressing data protection concerns.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer urged for the ban’s delay, emphasizing the need for more time to secure an American buyer and prevent disruptions to the livelihoods of millions of TikTok users and influencers.
To enforce the ban, the US government plans to direct Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores, halting new downloads before Trump’s inauguration. TikTok lawyer Noel Francisco warned that the platform would “go dark” on Sunday if the ban is not blocked, with reports indicating that the company is preparing to suspend its US operations.
As Trump prepares to take office, his administration will decide whether to implement or delay the ban, despite Congressional support for the legislation. TikTok has been actively lobbying against the ban, and CEO Shou Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration.
TikTok has not yet responded to requests for comment.
