The Supreme Court upheld the federal law banning TikTok unless it is sold by its China-based parent company, citing national security concerns over limiting speech. President-elect Donald Trump and President Joe Biden have differing views on enforcing the law, with Trump expressing interest in negotiating a solution. The law will render the app unworkable for new users and updates will not be available.
The decision to ban TikTok came after concerns about China’s access to personal information of Americans. Some justices expressed reservations about the decision, but ultimately agreed with the outcome. Digital rights groups criticized the ruling, citing concerns about the impact on free expression and content creators who rely on the app for their businesses.
The dispute over TikTok’s ties to China has become a symbol of the geopolitical competition between the US and China. The US government is concerned about TikTok collecting user data that could be accessed by the Chinese government. Without a sale to an approved buyer, the law will prevent app stores and internet hosting services from offering TikTok. Investors, including former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and businessman Frank McCourt, have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s US assets.
