The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a law that may lead to TikTok being banned in the United States in the coming days, citing national security concerns. TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, had appealed to overturn the law, but the court rejected the plea, leaving the app’s future in the U.S. uncertain.
The ruling comes just days before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has previously expressed opposition to banning the app. Trump, set to take office on January 20, has stated he would make a decision soon, hinting at a potential intervention.
Supreme Court Ruling and National Security Concerns
In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court highlighted the platform’s popularity with over 170 million American users but emphasized the importance of addressing potential risks. The judgment read:
“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 challenged provisions do not violate petitioners’ First Amendment rights.”
The court concluded that TikTok’s scale, its vulnerability to foreign influence, and its collection of sensitive data warranted significant government intervention.
ByteDance’s Options: Sell or Shutdown
ByteDance has two options: sell the U.S. branch of TikTok to an approved buyer or face an outright ban. During Supreme Court proceedings, ByteDance’s legal team warned that the app might “go dark” if a last-minute buyer or political compromise cannot be secured.
The Justice Department welcomed the decision. Attorney General Merrick Garland stated:
“This ruling ensures that the Chinese government cannot exploit TikTok to compromise America’s national security. Protecting sensitive data from authoritarian regimes is paramount.”
Trump Administration’s Next Steps
President-elect Trump, who previously sought to ban TikTok during his first term, appears to have softened his stance. Responding to the ruling on CNN, Trump said, “It ultimately goes up to me, so you’re going to see what I’m going to do.” On social media, he added, “My decision on TikTok will be made in the not too distant future, but I must have time to review the situation. Stay tuned!”
As the U.S. waits for Trump’s next move, the clock ticks for TikTok, ByteDance, and its American users, who may soon face a future without the app.
