Supreme Court upholds TikTok ban

The Supreme Court has upheld a law that will effectively ban TikTok in the United States, set to take effect on January 19, 2025. This decision concludes TikTok's legal battle against the law, which requires the app, owned by ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations or face a shutdown. Following the ruling, it will be illegal for app stores and internet hosting services to distribute TikTok. The court's opinion addressed an appeal from TikTok operating entities and U.S. users, who argued that the ban violated First Amendment rights. However, the court concluded that the law is a legitimate response to national security concerns regarding potential data access by the Chinese government. The Department of Justice supported the law, asserting it does not infringe on free speech. TikTok contended that divesting would be unfeasible due to Chinese restrictions on exporting its algorithm. The Supreme Court acknowledged the complexities of technology regulation but deemed the law appropriately tailored to address the perceived risks. The law was signed by President Biden in April 2024, following years of U.S. government allegations about TikTok's ties to China posing a national security threat.

- The Supreme Court's ruling effectively bans TikTok in the U.S. starting January 19, 2025.

- TikTok must divest its U.S. operations to avoid shutdown.

- The court ruled the law does not violate First Amendment rights.

- The decision reflects ongoing national security concerns regarding data access by the Chinese government.

- The law was enacted following years of scrutiny over TikTok's operations in the U.S.