U.S. Appeals Court Ruling Brings TikTok Closer to Nationwide Ban
Dec/10/2024
On Friday, December 6, a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., ruled that TikTok can be banned in the U.S. over national security concerns, upholding a federal law requiring its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest ownership of the app. The court determined that the law, signed by President Biden in April, is a valid measure to protect Americans from potential data misuse and influence by the Chinese government, which U.S. officials warn could exploit TikTok for surveillance or propaganda. TikTok plans to appeal to the Supreme Court, though the justices are not required to hear the case. If unresolved, the ban—set to take effect in January 2025—would prevent app stores from offering TikTok downloads and updates, effectively halting its U.S. operations. With Chinese resistance to a forced sale and incoming President-elect Donald Trump’s unpredictable stance, TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains in flux. The ruling underscores the intensifying geopolitical contest over digital platforms and user data.
