TikTok closer to US ban after losing court appeal

AFP | Washington, United States

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

TikTok is one step closer to a potential ban in the United States after losing an appeal on Friday against a law requiring the app to sever ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, by January 19. The decision intensifies tensions between the U.S. and China, just days before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20.

The law, which was signed by President Joe Biden in April, mandates that TikTok must divest from ByteDance or face a block on U.S. app stores and web hosting services. A three-judge panel upheld the law, citing national security concerns and deeming it essential to protect U.S. interests. The court ruled that the law does not infringe on free speech, emphasizing that its goal is not to suppress particular messages but to address security risks posed by the app's ties to China.

Despite the ruling, TikTok has vowed to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, which could either uphold the decision or choose to hear the case. "The Supreme Court has an established historical record of protecting Americans' right to free speech, and we expect they will do just that on this important constitutional issue," said the company in a statement.

The U.S. government has voiced concerns that TikTok allows the Chinese government to access American users' data and is a potential tool for propaganda, claims which both Beijing and ByteDance deny. The Justice Department, in response to the ruling, reiterated its commitment to safeguarding U.S. citizens' data from foreign influence.

The law's impact on TikTok could significantly alter the U.S. social media landscape. Industry analysts predict that if the ban goes into effect, companies like Meta (parent of Facebook), YouTube, and Snap could benefit, while content creators and small businesses reliant on TikTok would face major disruptions. TikTok has already seen impressive growth in the U.S., reporting $100 million in Black Friday sales and projected ad revenue of $15.5 billion next year.

Interestingly, Trump, who initially attempted to ban TikTok during his first term, has now emerged as an unexpected ally. Some observers suggest that Trump's support for the app could help save it, although there is skepticism about whether he will change his stance again once in office. In 2020, a federal judge blocked Trump's attempt to ban TikTok, citing concerns over free speech.

Legal experts are divided on whether the Supreme Court will take up the case, with some arguing that the issues at stake—national security and free speech—warrant the Court’s attention. However, with the law's January deadline fast approaching, experts predict that TikTok may face a tough road ahead, potentially leading to the platform's removal in the U.S. in just a few weeks.

As the case progresses, the debate over TikTok's future continues to raise questions about the balance between national security concerns and the protection of free speech in the digital age.