TikTok is making a final plea to the Supreme Court in an effort to avoid a looming ban in the United States. The popular social media platform, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, is seeking an injunction to halt the ban while it appeals a lower court’s ruling upholding the law that would force ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a shutdown.
The law, passed in April, stems from concerns that TikTok poses a national security threat due to its access to vast amounts of user data and its potential for content manipulation. The Justice Department argues that as aChinese company, TikTok could be compelled to share user data with the Chinese government.
TikTok, however, maintains that it has never shared and would never share US user data with any government. The company argues that the ban violates free speech protections and that there is no imminent threat to US national security.
A federal appeals court recently rejected TikTok’s arguments, prompting the company to seek emergency relief from the Supreme Court. TikTok claims that a shutdown, even temporarily, would cause significant user loss and damage its business operations.
The company also highlights the timing of the ban, which is set to take effect the day before the presidential inauguration. TikTok hopes that delaying enforcement of the law would allow the Supreme Court to fully consider the legality of the ban and give the incoming administration an opportunity to evaluate the matter.
The incoming president, who previously attempted to ban TikTok during his first term, has since reversed his stance and expressed support for the platform. He has indicated a willingness to “take a look” at the situation and explore ways to prevent the ban.
This legal battle underscores the growing tensions between the US and China and the challenges faced by technology companies operating in a complex geopolitical landscape. TikTok’s fate hangs in the balance as it awaits the Supreme Court’s decision on its emergency request.