The U.S. Supreme Court appears likely to uphold a controversial new law that could lead to the shutdown of TikTok in the United States. During oral arguments on Friday, justices from both conservative and liberal factions expressed significant skepticism about the company’s legal challenge to the law.
Passed by Congress last year, the law gives TikTok until January 19 to sever its ties with its China-based parent company, ByteDance, or face being banned. If the court does not intervene, TikTok could be removed from U.S. app stores as soon as that date.
For years, government officials have expressed concerns that TikTok poses national security risks. With ByteDance headquartered in Beijing, critics argue that the company could be compelled to share user data with the Chinese government under Chinese laws, potentially allowing Beijing to access vast amounts of personal information from U.S. users. The U.S. government has also warned that China could use the app to gather intelligence and influence content viewed by millions of Americans.
In response, TikTok, along with its parent company and a group of content creators, has claimed that the law violates the First Amendment. They have requested the Supreme Court delay or overturn the law, citing concerns over its implications for free speech and the potential consequences for the millions of Americans who use TikTok.
Friday’s oral arguments, which lasted over two hours, saw the justices raise pointed questions about the law’s impact. Chief Justice John Roberts expressed doubts about TikTok’s defense, emphasizing that while Congress supports free expression, it is deeply concerned about the potential national security threat posed by a foreign adversary controlling a platform with over 170 million American users.
Several justices voiced concerns over TikTok’s data collection practices and the possibility of Chinese access to sensitive personal information. However, some justices were less convinced by the government’s argument that the law serves a critical national security interest by preventing China from potentially manipulating TikTok’s content to further its own agenda.
The case could have significant consequences for free speech, particularly in the context of the internet and social media. If the court rules in favor of the law, it would mark a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over national security and the regulation of foreign-owned tech companies in the U.S.
Meanwhile, as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on January 20, he has expressed intentions to save the app, suggesting that he may choose not to enforce the law if the Supreme Court allows it to take effect. The legal battle over TikTok’s future in the U.S. could thus extend beyond the Supreme Court, with political developments further complicating the situation.
{Matzav.com}