In April, President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan law requiring ByteDance, the China-based parent company of TikTok, to sell the app to a U.S. buyer or face a ban. ByteDance has made it clear it will not sell the platform.
The law, known as the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, was introduced due to national security concerns. Lawmakers fear TikTok’s ties to China could enable the Chinese government to access U.S. user data or influence the content seen by American users.
TikTok, which boasts more than 170 million U.S.-based monthly users, filed a lawsuit arguing the law violates its First Amendment rights.
However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the legislation in December, agreeing with the assessment that the app poses a national security risk.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court reviewed arguments from TikTok and ByteDance and upheld the lower court’s decision, paving the way for the ban to take effect this Sunday.
Under the law, TikTok will be removed from the Apple (AAPL +0.80%) and Google (GOOGL +1.59%) app stores, preventing new downloads.
Additionally, network providers will be required to block access to TikTok’s website. Without updates or technical support, the Justice Department has stated that the app will become “unworkable” over time.
TikTok plans to disable the app for U.S. users as soon as the ban is implemented.
The legislation includes a provision for a 90-day pause if ByteDance demonstrates progress toward a sale before the ban’s deadline.
However, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar informed the Supreme Court that it remains unclear whether the pause could be applied retroactively once the ban takes effect.
An unnamed official has stated that the outgoing Biden administration will not enforce the ban before President Biden leaves office, leaving its implementation to incoming President Donald Trump.
While Trump previously indicated he has a “warm spot” for TikTok, citing its influence among younger voters, it remains uncertain how his administration will handle the ban
