The Supreme Court ruled on Friday (January 17) that a ban on TikTok can proceed, rejecting an appeal from the app’s owners who argued the ban violated the First Amendment. The decision, which came without any noted dissents, allows the ban to take effect on Sunday (January 19), though it remains uncertain how the app’s 170 million American users will be impacted.
The ruling follows warnings from the Biden administration about TikTok’s ties to China posing a “grave” national security threat. The law, passed in April with bipartisan support and signed by President Joe Biden, requires TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest from Chinese ownership or face a nationwide ban. President-elect Donald Trump, who had asked the court to delay the ban to address it once in office, has promised to “save” the app, though his plans remain unclear.
During oral arguments, the justices expressed concern over the Chinese government’s potential to collect sensitive data from American users. Justice Brett Kavanaugh noted, “That seems like a huge concern for the future of the country.”
The court’s decision aligns with a December ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which found the ban permissible.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and others argue the ban is unconstitutional, stating it fails to meet the First Amendment’s high bar for restricting speech. They contend the government has not provided sufficient evidence of TikTok being exploited for national security threats.
With the ban looming, TikTok has not publicly commented on its plans, but internal discussions suggest the app may “go dark” for U.S. users on Sunday. Meanwhile, users are exploring alternative platforms, and potential buyers, including Elon Musk, have been rumored to express interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations.
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