TikTok set to be banned in the US after losing appeal
TikTok’s attempt to overturn a U.S. law requiring the app to be sold or banned by early 2025 has been rejected by a federal appeals court. The company argued that the law was unconstitutional, claiming it imposed a staggering impact on the free speech of its 170 million U.S. users. However, the court upheld the legislation, describing it as the result of extensive, bipartisan action" by Congress and successive presidents.
The law targets TikTok's ownership by ByteDance, citing national security concerns over alleged links to the Chinese government—allegations TikTok and ByteDance deny. The court supported the law as narrowly tailored to address threats from foreign adversaries and part of a broader effort to counter risks posed by China.
TikTok announced plans to escalate its legal battle to the Supreme Court, emphasizing its commitment to protecting free speech. A spokesperson criticized the law as being based on flawed and hypothetical information and argued that a ban would amount to censorship of U.S. citizens.
The upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on January 20—just one day before the law's deadline—may influence the app’s future. While Trump previously sought to ban TikTok in 2020, he stated during his 2024 campaign that he would oppose the app’s removal. However, experts, including Professor James Grimmelmann of Cornell University, warn that bipartisan anti-China sentiment in Congress could limit Trump's ability to reverse the decision.
The potential ban has drawn attention from TikTok users and competitors. Small business advocate and TikTok creator Tiffany Cianci expressed disappointment but vowed not to move her content to rival platforms like Instagram, which she described as less effective for creators. Meanwhile, platforms such as Meta and YouTube are positioning themselves to capture TikTok's user base.
Analysts predict significant disruption if the ban proceeds, with rivals like Meta, YouTube, and Snap standing to benefit. However, experts, including Cory Johnson of Epistrophy Capital Research, highlight TikTok’s unique AI-powered recommendation engine, which is difficult to replicate. Johnson also noted concerns about data privacy and the risks posed by algorithmic manipulation, citing recent controversies on Elon Musk’s platform, X.
The final decision rests with the Supreme Court, but TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain as political and legal battles continue.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0