Supreme Court to Hear TikTok’s Appeal Against Ban
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments from TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, challenging a law that would effectively ban the popular social media app in the United States. The law, set to take effect on January 19, would require ByteDance to sell TikTok or force Google, Apple, and other platforms to stop supporting the app.
National Security Concerns
The law was passed by Congress due to concerns that TikTok’s Chinese ownership poses a national security risk. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the law, ruling that the Department of Justice had presented persuasive evidence demonstrating that the divestment law is narrowly tailored to protect national security.
Free Speech Protections
TikTok and ByteDance argue that the law violates the U.S. Constitution’s free speech protections. The company claims that if the app is banned, small U.S. businesses that use TikTok for marketing would lose over $1 billion in revenue in the month following the ban, and creators would lose nearly $300 million in earnings.
Supreme Court Hearing
The Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments in the case for January 10, nine days before the law is set to take effect. Lawyers for TikTok, ByteDance, the app users, and the Department of Justice will submit briefs and argue the question of whether the law as applied to TikTok violates the First Amendment of the Constitution.
Injunction Request
TikTok had requested an injunction against the law taking effect next month, but the Supreme Court did not issue a ruling on the request, deferring consideration until after oral arguments on January 10. The court could still rule on the injunction before the law takes effect.
Political Implications
The case has sparked political interest, with President-elect Donald Trump meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew on Monday. Trump has expressed support for TikTok, suggesting that the app had boosted support for him from young voters during the election. Meanwhile, Sen. Mitch McConnell’s lawyer has opposed TikTok’s application for an emergency injunction, arguing that the company is hoping for a more sympathetic administration under Trump.
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