TikTok, the popular Chinese-owned social media app used by 170 million people in the United States, is facing a potential ban in the country. The app has announced that it will “go dark” on January 19 unless President Biden takes action to prevent the implementation of legislation that would effectively ban the app in the US.
The ban was affirmed by the US Supreme Court on Friday, with the nine judges ruling unanimously that TikTok poses a threat to US national security. The court’s decision stated that the challenged provisions of the legislation do not violate petitioners’ first amendment rights. This means that unless TikTok sells to a US-based owner, which it has refused to do, the app will no longer be available for download in app stores beginning Sunday.
TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, thanked President Trump for his commitment to working with the company to find a solution that would keep TikTok available in the United States. However, the company stated that the Biden administration’s ambiguous promises regarding the enforcement of the ban were insufficient. Without a definitive statement assuring non-enforcement from the Biden administration, TikTok would be forced to “go dark” on January 19.
The US Justice Department has reiterated its argument that TikTok poses a national security concern and praised the Supreme Court’s decision for defending the country from foreign threats. The ban has sparked outrage among creators, civil rights groups, and first amendment activists, who argue that banning the app is equivalent to censorship and sets a dangerous precedent in the US.
TikTok has the option of divesting or selling its assets to a non-Chinese corporation, but the company has stated that this is not commercially, technologically, or legally feasible. The Supreme Court justices spent more time questioning TikTok about its first amendment rights than they did interrogating government attorneys about national security concerns.
President Trump has filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court requesting that the ban be paused, and he has stated that he has the authority to make a decision on the ban. However, when President Biden takes office on January 20, he will have the opportunity to ask the Justice Department not to enforce the ban or issue an executive order to suspend it for 60 to 90 days.
Biden’s press secretary has stated that the president’s opinion on TikTok has been clear for months. TikTok should remain available to Americans but be under ownership that does not pose a security risk. Justice Neil Gorsuch noted in his concurring opinion that the future of TikTok remains unclear.
In conclusion, TikTok is facing a potential ban in the United States unless President Biden takes action to prevent the implementation of legislation that would effectively ban the app. The company has stated that it will “go dark” on January 19 unless the Biden administration provides assurance of non-enforcement. The ban has raised concerns about censorship and national security, and the future of TikTok remains uncertain.
