Tik Tok urges Supreme Court to pause impending ban
The Supreme Court is currently hearing oral arguments on whether TikTok, the popular social media platform, should be forced to divest from its Chinese-owned parent company, ByteDance, or face a ban in the United States. This case has garnered significant attention as it raises important questions about national security and free speech rights.
The legal battle revolves around the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, a law passed by Congress last April. The law gave TikTok nine months to either separate from its Chinese parent company or be removed from U.S. app stores and hosting services. TikTok’s lawyers argue that this law violates the First Amendment by restricting the company’s ability to operate freely. They also contend that Congress did not explore less drastic measures before resorting to an outright ban.
On the other side, the Biden administration argues that the law is necessary to address potential national security threats posed by TikTok’s Chinese ownership. The administration’s attorneys maintain that the focus is on the company’s control of the app rather than its content. They assert that the law does not infringe on free speech rights as it does not target specific viewpoints or content.
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the approximately 170 million Americans who use TikTok. The Supreme Court’s decision will be closely watched, and justices have a tight deadline to issue a ruling before the ban is set to take effect on January 19.
The expedited hearing was agreed upon in December, giving the Court just nine days to reach a decision. Oral arguments are set to begin at 10 a.m., and updates on the proceedings will be provided as they unfold.
Breanne Deppisch, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital covering the 2024 election and national news, authored this article.
