TikTok’s future in the US is subject to a major legal decision, with an appeals court recently upholding a law requiring TikTok to separate from its Chinese parent company ByteDance by January 19, 2025, or face a ban in the country. The decision puts the platform used by over 170 million Americans at risk.
The case raises critical questions about the protection of TikTok’s US users’ free speech rights. TikTok has announced plans to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, arguing that the ban would undermine the voices of millions of Americans and their freedom of expression.
Aside from the appeal itself, there are other ways in which a TikTok ban could be delayed or avoided. An extension of the deadline by President-elect Donald Trump or incumbent President Joe Biden has been mooted, though their position on the matter remains unclear.
If appealed, TikTok could seek a stay of the law while the Supreme Court considers the case, which would postpone the ban deadline, at least temporarily. However, TikTok’s chances of success before the Supreme Court remain uncertain, with some experts suggesting that it would likely support the law on national security grounds.
It should also be noted that Donald Trump’s possible support could work in TikTok’s favor, although no concrete action appears to have been taken in this direction at this time. In short, TikTok’s future in the United States remains uncertain, between court decisions, ongoing appeals, and national security issues.
In an era where social media has a profound impact on society, this case highlights the challenges faced by international digital platforms operating in the United States, casting a harsh light on the issues of freedom of expression and internet regulation.