The Supreme Court has unanimously upheld a federal law banning TikTok unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells the app by January 19, citing national security risks. Although current users can keep the app, new downloads and updates will cease, gradually making it unusable, according to the Justice Department.
The decision, announced Friday, comes amid political tension, with President-elect Donald Trump promising a solution and President Biden signaling non-enforcement in his final days in office. Congress passed the legislation in April, arguing that TikTok’s data practices pose a threat to U.S. security.
The justices acknowledged the law’s significant impact but cited concerns over China accessing sensitive user data or manipulating content. Justice Neil Gorsuch noted the risks of “vast troves of personal information” falling into Chinese hands.
TikTok’s Future Uncertain
ByteDance, restricted by Chinese laws on selling its algorithm, has not moved toward divestiture. As of Sunday, app stores and hosting services will be barred from offering TikTok unless an approved sale occurs. Investors, including Steven Mnuchin and Frank McCourt, have expressed interest in acquiring the platform, but no deal is imminent.
TikTok denies allegations of data misuse, emphasizing a lack of evidence that China has accessed U.S. user data. The app also faces lawsuits from states alleging harm to children’s mental health.
Geopolitical Competition
Senator Tom Cotton called the app a “communist spy tool,” praising the Supreme Court for rejecting ByteDance’s arguments. The ruling highlights ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing, as lawmakers continue to scrutinize Chinese technology.
With TikTok’s future in limbo, the decision underscores a growing divide between U.S. security concerns and digital free speech.