US Supreme Court upholds law prohibiting TikTok.
The US Supreme Court upheld a statute on Friday that will prohibit TikTok in the United States, potentially depriving the video-sharing app of 170 million users in two days.
TikTok suffered a significant defeat when the court concluded that the statute did not violate free expression rights and that the US government had valid national security concerns about a Chinese business controlling the app.
Last Monday, the Supreme Court heard arguments from ByteDance that the law violated free expression.
“There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement, and source of community,” the ruling’s judges stated.
“But 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,” the authors said.
With that ruling, Sunday’s prohibition remains in place, even though MPs and officials from all sides of the political spectrum have called for a delay.
Last year, Congress decisively enacted legislation requiring ByteDance to sell or close its platform in the United States by January 19.
The law was a response to widespread perception in Washington that China may utilise the popular app for espionage or propaganda.
White House officials informed US reporters on Friday that they will not implement the ban, leaving it to President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office the next day.
Trump says he addressed TikTok with Chinese President Xi Jinping over the phone on Friday.
On Thursday, Trump’s new national security adviser, Mike Waltz, told Fox News that the government will implement measures “to keep TikTok from going dark.”
“The legislation allows for an extension as long as a viable deal is on the table,” he told reporters. “Essentially that buys President Trump time to keep TikTok going.”
“It’s been a great platform for him and his campaign to get his America first message out,” the politician said. “But at the same time, he wants to protect (users’) data.”
On Thursday, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer also asked for a delay in a looming TikTok ban.
“It’s clear that more time is needed to find an American buyer and not disrupt the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans, of so many influencers who have built up a good network of followers,” claimed Schumer.
To carry out the prohibition, the US government will direct Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores, barring new downloads beginning the day before Trump takes office.
TikTok lawyer Noel Francisco indicated that if the justices do not overturn the prohibition, the site will “go dark” on Sunday, and a media report claimed that the business was considering a complete suspension of operations in the United States.
Trump promised to save TikTok while campaigning for the November election, and his administration has been considering methods to stall the ban or rescue the app.
Once Trump takes office, the law’s execution will be left to his attorney general, who may choose not to enforce it or delay it, violating Congress’ support for the legislation.
TikTok has been fighting hard against the law’s enforcement, and CEO Shou Chew will attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday.
TikTok did not respond to a request for comments.