Latest TikTok ban: Where things stand after the Supreme Court hearing

LOS ANGELES – The Supreme Court is preparing to issue a ruling that could determine TikTok’s future in the United States. With a January 19 deadline looming, ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, is required to sell its US operations or face a nationwide ban. The legislation, signed by President Joe Biden last year, cites national security concerns over the app’s ties to China.

TikTok and ByteDance have challenged the law, claiming it violates First Amendment rights and unfairly targets the company. During oral arguments on Jan. 10, the justices appeared skeptical of TikTok’s claims, but did not indicate when a ruling would be issued.

What is the TikTok ban law?

The law, which was passed with bipartisan support, mandates ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US operations by January 19 or face a ban.

If the sale is not completed by that date, TikTok will be blocked from US app stores and existing users will lose access to updates and support. ByteDance has challenged the law, claiming it violates First Amendment rights, but the court’s actions suggest it is likely to move forward with the deadline.

When will the Supreme Court rule on TikTok’s future?

What we know:

The Supreme Court heard arguments on January 10 on the law, which requires TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell its US operations by January 19 or face a ban. The law, passed last year and signed by President Joe Biden, cites national security concerns over the company’s ties to the Chinese government.

If the law is upheld, TikTok will be removed from US app stores, making it unavailable for new downloads. Existing users could still use the app, but it would degrade over time without updates or technical support.

What we don’t know:

The Supreme Court has not announced when it will issue a ruling, although the January 19 deadline adds urgency. It is also unclear whether judges can grant a temporary delay to allow more time for review or negotiations.

In addition, the outcome of ByteDance’s efforts to find a buyer for TikTok remains uncertain, as any deal would exclude the app’s algorithm, which China considers intellectual property.

Who can buy TikTok if it’s sold?

The back story:

Project Liberty, led by billionaire Frank McCourt, has appeared as a potential buyer of TikTok’s US assets. The group has secured verbal commitments of up to $20 billion to finance the purchase, although any deal would exclude TikTok’s algorithm, which China considers intellectual property.

The push to sell TikTok has been ongoing since 2020, when former President Donald Trump initially tried to force the sale. Those efforts stalled, however, and the current legislation has reignited the debate over TikTok’s future in the United States

The source

This story is based on reporting from Axios FOX TV Stations and the Associated Press, with additional information from Supreme Court cases and government statements.

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