Legal showdown could decide TikTok ban in US

ByteDance contends that selling TikTok is not feasible and seeks a court ruling by 6 December, which could allow the US Supreme Court to review the case before any ban.
TikTok disputes US Department of Justice claims, asserting that user data is stored securely in the US and content moderation is handled domestically.

TikTok is facing a critical legal battle that could determine the future of the app in the US. On Monday, the US Court of Appeals in Washington, DC, will hear arguments from TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, as they seek to block a new law that threatens to ban the app by 19 January 2024. With around 170 million US users, TikTok’s fate hangs in the balance just as the presidential election ramps up.

Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, and Vice President Kamala Harris are using TikTok to engage with younger voters, underscoring the app’s significant political and social influence. However, the US government remains concerned about national security risks, particularly the potential for China to access American user data through the app. Lawmakers passed the measure, calling for ByteDance to divest from TikTok, citing fears of surveillance.

ByteDance argues that the law violates free speech and insists that divesting from TikTok is not feasible. With a looming January deadline for a sale or a potential ban, TikTok’s legal team is seeking a ruling by early December. This would allow the US Supreme Court time to consider the case before any decision takes effect. President Joe Biden, who signed the law in April, holds the power to extend the deadline if ByteDance shows progress toward selling TikTok.

While the White House maintains that the move is about national security, not eliminating TikTok, the upcoming court ruling will be pivotal in shaping the app’s future in the US and possibly beyond.