Supreme Court backs law banning TikTok if it’s not sold by its Chinese parent company

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously upheld a federal law requiring TikTok’s sale by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to address national security concerns. Effective Sunday, the ban prevents new downloads and updates in the U.S., potentially rendering the app unusable over time. The decision, supported by bipartisan congressional backing, cited fears over data collection and possible manipulation by the Chinese government.

While the Biden administration stated it will not enforce the ban, President-elect Donald Trump has signaled an interest in negotiating a resolution. Legal challenges and logistical hurdles, including Chinese restrictions on selling TikTok’s proprietary algorithm, have complicated a sale.

Critics argue the ruling harms free speech and impacts businesses reliant on TikTok, while supporters, including prominent Senate Republicans, view the app as a security threat. With no sale in sight, ByteDance faces mounting pressure to divest TikTok’s U.S. assets. The case underscores tensions between national security and digital rights in the evolving social media landscape.

Source: AP News