The Supreme Court upheld the TikTok ban unless ByteDance sells. The law takes effect Jan. 19, but Biden will not enforce it. TikTok may disappear from app stores soon.
Court Ruling and National Security Concerns
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Friday to uphold a law that bans TikTok unless its China-based parent company, ByteDance, sells it.
“Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices,” the court stated.
TikTok and ByteDance argued the ban violates the First Amendment, but the justices disagreed. The Biden administration defended the law, emphasizing that its goal is to remove foreign control over user data while keeping free speech intact.
Biden and Trump React
The Biden administration will not enforce the ban, as it takes effect just one day before Biden leaves office.
“Given the sheer fact of timing, this administration recognizes that actions to implement the law simply must fall to the next administration,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
Donald Trump, who previously attempted to ban TikTok, has called for a pause to negotiate a deal.
“The Supreme Court decision was expected, and everyone must respect it. My decision on TikTok will be made in the not-too-distant future,” Trump posted.
What Happens to TikTok on Jan. 19?
With 170 million American users, the future of TikTok remains uncertain.
“On Jan. 19, as I understand it, we shut down,” said Noel Francisco, attorney for TikTok and ByteDance.
- TikTok will likely be removed from app stores.
- Existing users can still access it, but updates will stop, affecting functionality.
- ByteDance could completely block U.S. users to comply with the law.
Further details are expected soon, but for now, TikTok’s fate in the U.S. remains unclear.
