TikTok’s future in the United States hangs in the balance after a federal appeals court ruled in favor of a law that could ban the app by mid-January. The law mandates that TikTok sever ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a nationwide ban.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit dismissed TikTok’s argument that the law violates the First Amendment and unfairly targets the platform. The court asserted that the law aims to protect national security and limit China’s access to user data.
This decision deals a significant blow to TikTok, which has amassed millions of users in the U.S. The company is expected to appeal to the Supreme Court.
However, the incoming Trump administration, which will be responsible for enforcing the ban, has signaled a potential shift in stance. President-elect Trump, who previously attempted to ban TikTok during his first term, now expresses opposition to the ban and a desire to “save” the platform.
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The law, signed by President Biden in April, represents the culmination of years of concern in Washington regarding TikTok’s potential national security implications due to its Chinese ownership. The app’s fate remains uncertain as it faces a race against time and a complex political landscape.
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