According to a Supreme Court decision, the threat of a legal ban on the social media platform TikTok in the US does not violate the Constitution. The top US court rejected an appeal by TikTok operator ByteDance in its ruling published on Friday, confirming a lower court ruling.
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According to its own information, the app has more than 170 million users in the US. There’s no doubt that TikTok is a unique and inclusive means of personal expression, connection, and community for more than 170 million Americans. Due to Supreme Court decision,
“Well-founded concerns”
The court added, “But Congress found the sale necessary to address its well-founded national security concerns.” The judge emphasizes TikTok’s data collection and the company’s proximity to a “foreign counterparty.” The decision had already become clear after the hearing last week.
The US Congress passed a law prohibiting the distribution of “applications controlled by foreign adversaries”. This law will come into effect on January 19. By then, at the latest, the app should disappear from the App Store in the United States.
This means TikTok is now a problem for the next US president, who will take office on January 20. Like the current government led by Joe Biden, Donald Trump’s team has already hinted that TikTok may get relief.
Is it possible to sell?
ByteDance could at least avoid the ban by selling its US business. But it said it would be technically difficult or impossible to separate from ByteDance. Nevertheless, rumors about a possible sale have been increasing recently, and Elon Musk was also considered a potential buyer.
TikTok has rejected the allegations. The Chinese operator has instead taken legal action and has always insisted that the ban on the platform is a violation of freedom of speech protected by the US Constitution.
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update
January 17, 2025,
5:01 pm
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The article is complemented with more details.
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Prohibition law comes into effect: TikTok goes offline in the United States
