TikTok Moves Closer To U.S. Ban As Appeals Court Upholds Sale Mandate

TikTok Moves Closer To U.S. Ban As Appeals Court Upholds Sale Mandate

A federal appeals court has just dealt TikTok a major blow, ruling that a law could potentially lead to the app’s ban in the U.S. as early as mid-January.

The court reportedly upheld the law that requires TikTok to sever ties with its China-based parent company, ByteDance, or face being banned in the states.

 

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Earlier today, December 6, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit rejected TikTok’s petition to overturn the law, which TikTok argued violated First Amendment rights. In its ruling, the court emphasized that the government’s concern is about protecting U.S. citizens from foreign surveillance, specifically from China, and limiting the data TikTok can collect from American users.

While TikTok is expected to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, the uncertainty remains as to whether the Court will hear the case. TikTok spokesperson Michael Hughes argued that the law was based on inaccurate and hypothetical information, adding that it could silence over 170 million Americans who use the platform.

The law, signed by President Biden in April, is rooted in national security concerns, with the U.S. government fearing that TikTok’s data collection could fall into the hands of the Chinese government. The concern is shared by other countries, such as the U.K. and Canada, who have likewise taken steps to limit the use of TikTok in their provinces as well.

TikTok has consistently denied accusations of spying or manipulating content for China, pointing out that the U.S. has provided no solid evidence of wrongdoing. However, the U.S. government maintains that the risk posed by the app’s Chinese ownership is too great.

What do you think about the potential TikTok ban? Let us know in the comments!