A US federal court has upheld a law that could force TikTok to be sold to a non-Chinese company or be banned in the United States by January 19th. This decision significantly affects the popular video app, which boasts over 170 million American users.
The law, signed in April, stems from national security concerns surrounding TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance. US officials worry that the Chinese government could use the app to access user data or spread propaganda. TikTok argues that the law unfairly targets them and that a ban would violate users’ First Amendment rights. However, the court disagreed, stating the law aims to protect Americans from foreign adversaries.
The future of TikTok in the US now hangs in the balance. The company may appeal to the Supreme Court, while President-elect Trump has signaled his support for the app but hasn’t outlined a plan to save it.
Experts believe the Supreme Court might intervene to prevent the app’s immediate disappearance, giving the incoming Trump administration time to decide how to proceed. A forced sale faces significant obstacles, including a potential price tag exceeding $200 billion, antitrust issues, and the possibility of the Chinese government blocking the sale.
