Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban in the US
The Supreme Court has upheld a law that will ban TikTok in the US unless its China-based parent company, ByteDance, divests from the popular social media app. The ban is set to take effect on Sunday, January 19, just one day before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Background
The bipartisan law, passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden last April, gave ByteDance 270 days to divest from TikTok or be banned in the US. The divestment is unlikely to happen, and it will ultimately be up to Trump whether he will keep TikTok online for the time being or enforce the ban once he officially takes office.
Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court ruled that the divest-or-ban ultimatum does not violate the US Constitution’s First Amendment freedom of speech and expression rights, siding with the Biden administration. The court wrote in its unsigned opinion, "There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement, and source of community."
However, the court also noted that 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 court concluded, "Under these circumstances, we find the Government’s data collection justification sufficient to sustain the challenged provisions."
Trump’s Involvement
Trump had expressed sympathy with TikTok as the ban approached and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will attend Trump’s inauguration, according to the report. There are also reports that Trump is considering signing an executive order to circumvent the ban.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the ban on TikTok in the US has significant implications for the popular social media app and its users. While the ban is set to take effect on Sunday, it remains to be seen whether Trump will enforce the ban or find a way to keep TikTok online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the reason behind the ban on TikTok in the US?
A: The ban is due to national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary.
Q: What is the deadline for the ban?
A: The deadline is Sunday, January 19.
Q: Will Trump enforce the ban?
A: It is unclear whether Trump will enforce the ban or find a way to keep TikTok online.
Q: What is the impact of the ban on TikTok users?
A: The ban will prevent TikTok users in the US from accessing the app, which may have significant implications for their online activities and social connections.