The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled to ban TikTok operations within the country, effective Sunday, unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells the app. The decision, delivered on Friday, has stirred debates over national security concerns and the app’s future in the US.
According to Sky News, President Joe Biden stated he would not enforce the ban during his remaining hours in office, leaving the final decision to President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to assume office on Monday.
In response to the ruling, the White House issued a statement emphasizing the importance of TikTok remaining accessible to Americans but under different ownership. The statement read, “TikTok should remain available to Americans, but simply under American ownership or other ownership that addresses the national security concerns identified by Congress in developing this law.”
The Supreme Court’s decision followed appeals from TikTok creators and its legal team, who sought to overturn the ban. Despite the appeals, the court upheld its original decision, maintaining that the app poses potential security risks if controlled by its current Chinese owners.
ByteDance, the app’s parent company, has consistently refused to sell TikTok, even though doing so would prevent the ban from taking effect. This resistance has led to speculation about the app’s fate in the US.
Reports suggest that TikTok may take preemptive action by shutting down its US operations. According to Reuters, users attempting to access the app after the ban could be redirected to a website explaining the situation. During a recent Supreme Court hearing, TikTok’s legal team hinted that the app would “go dark” if the ban was enforced.
TikTok currently boasts over 170 million users in the US, but the app’s global user base exceeds 1.5 billion. Analysts suggest ByteDance may prioritize its international market over maintaining its presence in the US.
If President Trump decides to enforce the ban, TikTok’s decline in the US could be gradual. Companies like Apple and Google may remove the app from their stores, preventing new downloads and updates. Over time, the app could become outdated and riddled with technical issues, leading to a decline in user engagement and the departure of US-based creators.
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