The Supreme Court on Friday upheld a law that could lead to the banning of TikTok in the United States. The justices rejected a free speech challenge filed by TikTok, clearing the way for the law to take effect on Sunday.
The bipartisan measure requires ByteDance, the China-based owner of TikTok, to divest from the platform by Sunday, one day before President Trump’s inauguration. If no sale occurs, TikTok could, in theory, be banned nationwide. The Biden administration has indicated it will not enforce the law immediately, and President Trump has signaled he may seek a resolution to keep the app operational.
President Trump, who attempted to ban TikTok during his first term, has since softened his stance. He recently expressed a “warm spot” for the platform and met with TikTok’s CEO. In an unusual move, Trump filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to delay the law’s implementation, stating his intention to pursue a political solution once in office.
Should TikTok be banned, content creators would need to pivot to competing platforms such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. TikTok, launched in the U.S. in 2018, has become a hub for millions of users and creators. Some users argued the law violates their First Amendment rights, but the Biden administration defended it as a national security measure unrelated to free speech.
