TikTok has sought a federal appeals court to prevent the Biden administration from enforcing a law that could potentially result in a ban on the popular platform until the Supreme Court reviews their challenge to the statute. The law in question requires TikTok’s China-based parent company ByteDance to divest its stakes in the social media company or face a ban. A panel of three judges recently ruled that the law was constitutional, prompting TikTok and ByteDance to seek further legal action to prevent the platform from shutting down.
If the law is not overturned, TikTok and ByteDance have claimed that the popular app will be forced to shut down by January 19, 2025, affecting over 170 million American users. The companies argue that even a one-month shutdown would result in a significant loss of daily users in the U.S., as well as a substantial decrease in advertising revenue and talent. They believe that the Supreme Court should have the opportunity to review the case before such drastic consequences take place.
Legal experts have noted that the case raises novel issues about social media platforms and the government’s role in protecting national security. While it is uncertain if the Supreme Court will take up the case, it is likely that they will weigh in on the matter given its importance. President-elect Donald Trump, who previously attempted to ban TikTok during his time in office, has now expressed opposition to such action.
In their legal filing, TikTok and ByteDance emphasized the need for an injunction to provide a “modest delay” that would allow the incoming administration to assess its position on the matter. They hope that this delay will give the Supreme Court the opportunity to consider the case and make a decision regarding the legality of the law. The companies are concerned about the potential impact on users, revenue, and employment if the ban were to go into effect.
Overall, TikTok’s legal battle to prevent a ban on its platform highlights the ongoing challenges faced by social media companies in navigating regulatory issues and national security concerns. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the future of social media regulation and the ability of the government to intervene in the operations of tech companies.
