TikTok Ban Upheld by US Supreme Court: 170 million Users Face Uncertainty
US Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban: What It Means for 170 Million American Users
The US Supreme Court on Friday upheld a controversial law banning TikTok in the United States, a decision that could impact over 170 million users within just two days.
TikTok Faces Major Legal Defeat
In a landmark ruling, the court found the ban did not violate free speech rights, affirming the government’s stance on national security concerns tied to TikTok’s Chinese ownership. The app’s parent company, ByteDance, argued the law infringes on freedom of expression but failed to sway the court.
National Security Concerns at the Forefront
“There is no doubt that TikTok provides more than 170 million Americans with a unique platform for expression, community, and engagement,” the justices noted. However, they emphasized that Congress had deemed divestiture essential to address legitimate concerns over TikTok’s data practices and ties to China.
Ban Takes Effect Despite Pushback
The decision upholds the ban, set to begin Sunday, despite bipartisan calls for a delay. Last year, Congress passed legislation requiring ByteDance to either sell the platform or cease US operations by January 19. Lawmakers raised fears that TikTok could be leveraged for espionage or propaganda by the Chinese government.
White House Defers Ban Enforcement
White House officials indicated on Friday that they would not enforce the ban immediately, leaving the decision to President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office the following day. Trump confirmed he had discussed TikTok during a call with Chinese President Xi Jinping but did not elaborate further.
This ruling intensifies pressure on ByteDance while marking a turning point in US-China tech relations. As the ban looms, millions of American users face uncertainty about their access to the popular app.
