The United States (U.S.) Supreme Court on Friday upheld a law that will ban TikTok in the United States, potentially denying the video-sharing app to 170 million users within two days.
In a significant defeat for TikTok, the court ruled that the law does not violate free speech rights and that the U.S. government had demonstrated legitimate national security concerns regarding a Chinese company owning the app.
Last week, the Supreme Court heard arguments from ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, arguing that the law should be blocked as it violated free speech, The PUNCH reports.
“There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, a means of engagement, and a source of community,” the justices said.
“But 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,” they concluded.
With that decision, the ban set for Sunday will effectively stand, even as lawmakers and officials across the political spectrum called for some delay.
Last year, Congress passed a law compelling ByteDance to either sell the platform or close it in the U.S. by January 19.
The law was a response to widespread belief in Washington that the popular app could be used by China for spying or propaganda.
White House officials on Friday stated they would not enforce the ban, leaving the decision to President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office a day later.
Trump confirmed that he had discussed TikTok in a phone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday.
Speaking to Fox News on Thursday, Trump’s incoming national security adviser, Mike Waltz, said the administration would implement measures “to keep TikTok from going dark.”
“The legislation allows for an extension as long as a viable deal is on the table,” he explained. “This essentially buys President Trump time to keep TikTok going.”
“It’s been a great platform for him and his campaign to get his ‘America First’ message out,” he added. “But at the same time, he wants to protect users’ data.”
