The US Supreme Court has rejected TikTok’s appeal to block a law requiring the app’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its US operations or face a ban.
Friday’s ruling is a significant setback for TikTok, underscoring mounting national security concerns surrounding its data practices.
The justices unanimously upheld the law, passed with bipartisan support in 2023 and signed by President Joe Biden, affirming that it does not violate the First Amendment’s free speech protections.
The court cited Congress’s assessment that TikTok’s Chinese ownership poses risks to US national security, including potential misuse of user data.
ByteDance could be compelled by the Chinese government to exploit TikTok’s vast data trove for espionage or influence operations, US lawyers argued.
TikTok’s lawyer, Noel Francisco, countered that the law unjustly targets free speech, describing the app as a vital platform for expression.
TikTok, used by nearly 170 million Americans, plans to halt US operations on Sunday unless a resolution is reached. Outgoing President Biden defended the law, while incoming President Donald Trump signaled willingness to negotiate a solution.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday as discussions continue.