The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected TikTok’s appeal against legislation that could effectively ban the app from the American market. In a unanimous decision, the Court ruled that the law, aimed at addressing national security concerns, does not violate free speech. The ruling means the legislation will take effect on Sunday, the day before Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration.
The new law prohibits the distribution and updates of TikTok in the U.S. unless its parent company, ByteDance, divests its ownership. Congress passed the measure citing fears over data security and ByteDance’s connections to the Chinese government. The Supreme Court’s ruling emphasized the necessity of addressing these concerns.
While the law is set to take effect imminently, the outgoing administration has signaled it will not enforce it, leaving the decision to Trump. During his first term, Trump sought to compel ByteDance to sell TikTok, and in his recent campaign, he criticized the legislation while vowing to “save TikTok.” His administration has suggested a potential 90-day delay in enforcing the law to allow ByteDance time to divest.
ByteDance has consistently opposed the sale of TikTok, rejecting recent rumors of negotiations with high-profile buyers. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz hinted that Trump could use the delay to secure a solution that addresses bipartisan concerns over the app’s potential misuse for surveillance, disinformation, and foreign influence.
The upcoming days will be pivotal for TikTok’s fate in the U.S. With over 170 million American users, the app’s future hinges on Trump’s decision and whether ByteDance complies with demands to relinquish control.