US Supreme Court Affirms TikTok Ban Law, Trump’s Team Vows to Keep App Operational
He mentioned that the law allows an extension if a viable deal is in progress, effectively buying Trump time to act.
The US Supreme Court on Friday upheld a law banning TikTok, potentially restricting access for 170 million users in two days.
The ruling rejected claims that the law infringes on free speech rights, stating that the government’s national security concerns about the Chinese-owned app were legitimate.
The court’s decision came after ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, argued that the law violated free speech.
The justices acknowledged TikTok’s significance as a platform for expression but emphasized Congress’s concerns over the app’s data practices and its ties to a foreign adversary.
In a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump discussed the situation, with his incoming national security advisor, Mike Waltz, suggesting the administration would find ways to keep TikTok operational.
He mentioned that the law allows an extension if a viable deal is in progress, effectively buying Trump time to act.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called for a delay to prevent disruption to millions of Americans, including influencers who rely on the app.
The US government plans to direct Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their stores, preventing new downloads before Trump takes office.
TikTok’s lawyer, Noel Francisco, warned that the site would “go dark” on Sunday if the ban is not blocked. The company is also preparing for a full suspension of service in the US.
Once Trump assumes office, his attorney general could decide whether to enforce the law, potentially delaying its implementation despite strong congressional support for the ban.