The Future of TikTok in the U.S.: Will the Supreme Court Uphold a Ban?

The Supreme Court’s recent hearing has raised concerns that TikTok’s days in the United States may be numbered. The justices seemed poised to uphold a ban on the popular short-form video platform, citing concerns over its ties to China.

A National Security Threat?

For years, U.S. lawmakers have been scrutinizing TikTok’s connection to China, accusing the app of sending propaganda to American teens and stealing personal data from subscribers. While TikTok has denied these allegations, the justices appeared more focused on the issue of regulating a foreign app rather than debating the First Amendment implications.

The Background on TikTok’s Ownership

TikTok is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, which has been under intense pressure to sell the app or face a ban in the U.S. With over 100 million users in the country, the app has become a cultural phenomenon. However, the controversy surrounding its ownership has led to a series of deadlines and deals that have yet to materialize.

A Turn of Events

During his first term, President-elect Donald Trump attempted to ban TikTok via an executive order, citing national security concerns. He also sought to sell the app to a U.S. company. However, Trump’s efforts ultimately stalled, and the app remained available in the U.S.

The Changing Tides

In a surprising turn of events, Trump has seemingly changed his stance on TikTok. Despite imposing deadlines on ByteDance to divest itself of TikTok, the president appears to have no interest in banning the platform like he did during his first term. This shift in tone may be attributed to the Biden Administration’s bill, which demanded ByteDance sell TikTok or face a ban.

A 90-Day Extension?

While the deadline for TikTok’s sale or ban is January 19th, the day before Trump is sworn in as president, a 90-day extension can be granted if there are signs that a deal is imminent. The Supreme Court’s decision will ultimately determine the fate of TikTok in the U.S. Based on the justices’ behavior during the hearing, a ban seems more likely than it did yesterday.

The Unlikely Role of Donald Trump’s Son

During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump even went so far as to tweet, "For all of those who want to save TikTok in America, vote Trump." This about-face may be attributed to advice from his 18-year-old son Barron, who reportedly encouraged his father to make an appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast, which was a huge success. It’s possible that Barron convinced his father that being on the side of TikTok would help him politically with teen voters.

Image: https://m-cdn.phonearena.com/images/article/166534-two/U.S.-Supreme-Court-appears-ready-to-hammer-the-nails-in-TikToks-coffin.jpg