The Supreme Court will hear arguments on TikTok’s future in the U.S on Friday. The issue centers on its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. The case could affect free speech and millions of users, but the outcome is unclear.
The court will review two cases challenging a federal law. This law requires ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a U.S. ban. If ByteDance does not comply, TikTok will disappear from app stores and internet providers. TikTok, ByteDance, and its creators argue the law violates First Amendment rights and restricts access to the platform. The government defends the law, citing national security risks. Officials claim China could misuse American user data.
A lower court supported the government. It ruled the ban does not violate free speech. The law takes effect on January 19 unless the Supreme Court blocks it.
The government says ByteDance’s ownership creates serious threats. Officials warn China could use TikTok for spying or influencing Americans. They argue the ban addresses security, not speech.
TikTok and ByteDance disagree. They say the ban would silence over 170 million U.S. Users argue less drastic options exist. They also warn a forced separation would harm TikTok’s content and features.
The court’s decision may come quickly. If the law takes effect, TikTok and apps like CapCut could vanish in the U.S., disrupting millions of users.
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