Is TikTok getting banned? | FOX 5 DC

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WASHINGTON, DC – The Supreme Court heard arguments last week on a law that would ban TikTok in the United States

The court can decide on the case as early as this week.

Is TikTok getting banned?

TikTok ban update

Many keep asking if TikTok will be banned? The Supreme Court will hear arguments over a federal law that could potentially ban the wildly popular app, TikTok.

What we know: The popular social media platform has actively defended their ownership of the app before the Supreme Court. The Associated Press reports that TikTok’s parent company is based in China, which has raised some potential national security threats for the US government.

According to government officials, Chinese authorities could hand over sensitive data about the huge number of Americans who use them or could influence the spread of information on the platform.

The law comes into force on January 19, unless the court steps in before then.

Typically, the Supreme Court can take several months to publish decisions, but this case is expected to be decided in the next few days.

President-elect Donald Trump has asked the US Supreme Court to delay enforcement of TikTok’s impending ban, arguing that his incoming administration is uniquely positioned to resolve the ongoing dispute between the app’s Chinese ownership and US national security concerns.

What’s next?

The Supreme Court’s opinion on the TikToK ban is expected next week

The Supreme Court says it plans to release at least one opinion next Wednesday — just hours after hearing the TikTok ban case, putting them on a tight deadline for a decision. FOX 5’s Katie Barlow was in the courtroom to argue.

After hearing oral arguments on January 10, it appears the Supreme Court will uphold a law banning TikTok.

If TikTok is not sold to an approved buyer, according to the Associated Press, the app would be prohibited by federal law from being offered in digital stores. However, users who already have the app will still have access to it, although updates will no longer be available.

With the possible end of TikTok, other apps have gained some new popularity.

Lemon8, also owned by TikTok’s parent company ByteDance, is a new lifestyle app that allows users to post photos and short-form videos.

Some TikTok users have quickly found interest in Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu in protest of the looming ban. This app seems to be the most similar to TikTok. Xiaohongshu, which means “Little Red Book” in English, combines e-commerce and short-form videos.

The source: The Associated Press and FOX 5 contributed to this report.

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