A US federal appeals court has upheld a law mandating ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, to sell its US operations by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban.

As per international media reports, this decision, issued by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, heightens TikTok’s legal troubles and escalates US-China tensions.

The ruling, celebrated as a major win for the Justice Department, supports arguments that TikTok poses a national security risk due to its alleged ties to the Chinese government, however, TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance denies such claims.

TikTok, which has reportedly 170 million US users, plans to appeal to the Supreme Court, arguing the divestment law infringes on First Amendment rights and constitutes censorship.

“The Supreme Court has consistently defended free speech, and we trust they will uphold this principle,” TikTok stated in a statement.

The law prohibits app stores and internet hosting services from offering TikTok after the deadline unless ByteDance sells its US operations.

On the other hand, ByteDance, has constantly refused the allegations of sharing data with the Chinese government, while the US officials have expressed concerns over data security and potential manipulation of information on the platform.

The decision leaves the ultimate enforcement of the ban in the hands of President Joe Biden, who could grant a 90-day extension if significant progress is made toward a sale, and President-elect Donald Trump, who will take office the day after the January 19 deadline.

Notably, Trump, who attempted to ban TikTok in 2020, has since softened his stance, opposing a ban during his campaign.

As the January 2025 deadline approaches, TikTok’s fate depends on the Supreme Court and the incoming administration, with implications for tech, free speech, and US-China relations.

Source: Reuters