The US Supreme Court ruled against TikTok in a challenge to a federal law that required the popular video app to be sold by the Chinese company, which owns the platform used by 170 million people in the US.
The ruling means TikTok could be shut down under a federal law, formally known as the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversaries Controlled Applications Act,” on Sunday.
what happens next?
If the ban is implemented and takes effect this Sunday, it will be illegal for app stores operated by Google and Apple to distribute TikTok to their users.
TikTok will be removed from those stores, according to the legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden after it was passed by Congress last April.
Although existing downloads will initially be unaffected, no new downloads will be available to users.
TikTok has sought to fight the ban and argued that divestment was not a viable option.
What did TikTok say?
TikTok said Sunday it would go “dark” in the United States unless the government intervenes and provides assurances that service providers will not be held liable for breaking laws banning the video-sharing platform.
TikTok said in a statement, “Unless the Biden administration immediately makes a definitive statement to satisfy the most critical service providers assuring non-enforcement, TikTok will unfortunately be forced to go dark on January 19.” Will go.”
Following the Supreme Court decision, TikTok said, “The statements issued today by both the Biden White House and the Justice Department fail to provide the necessary clarity and assurances to service providers who must maintain the availability of TikTok for more than 170 million Americans.” are integral to.” ,
What did the court say?
The justices ruled unanimously that the federal law did not violate free speech laws under the First Amendment of the Constitution.
The court concluded that the reason for enacting the law was “definitely content agnostic” and had nothing to do with restricting free speech.
“Congress has determined that divestment is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationships with a foreign adversary,” the court said in the unsigned opinion.
Trump administration in charge of TikTok’s fate
The White House said in a statement after the Supreme Court decision that “TikTok should remain available to Americans, but only under U.S. ownership or other ownership that addresses the national security concerns identified by Congress in developing this legislation.” “
“Given the stark facts of the moment, this administration believes that law enforcement action should be up to the next administration, which will take office on Monday.”
US media outlets have reported that President-elect Donald Trump may consider an executive order to allow TikTok to continue operating in the US.
But it is unclear whether an executive order could stop the ban, as the order could be challenged in court.
rm/sms (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)
