TikTok Faces Ban by Sunday After Supreme Court Rejects Appeal

The Supreme Court's rejection of TikTok's appeal paves the way for a potential ban on the platform in the U.S., commencing this Sunday, January 19th. The court unanimously dismissed TikTok's First Amendment argument, citing the app's scale, vulnerability to foreign influence (specifically, China), and extensive data collection practices as justification for the ban. The justices acknowledged TikTok's importance to its users, but emphasized the government's legitimate national security concerns.

Without executive intervention, TikTok faces a complete shutdown on Sunday. While President Biden has expressed a preference for TikTok's continued operation under American ownership, the responsibility for implementing the ban falls to the incoming Trump administration.

The Supreme Court's ruling explicitly stated that the ban doesn't violate TikTok's First Amendment rights, given Congress's determination that divestiture is necessary to address national security risks.

Interestingly, Trump, previously opposed to a ban, may yet intervene. Reports suggest he's engaged in discussions with Chinese officials, and an executive order could temporarily delay enforcement for 60-90 days. Furthermore, speculation abounds regarding a potential sale to a Western entity, with Elon Musk, involved with the incoming administration, potentially acting as an intermediary or even a buyer himself.

In anticipation of the ban, users are migrating to alternative platforms, with Red Note (Xiaohongshu) experiencing a significant surge in new users.

Ultimately, TikTok's U.S. future hinges on a successful sale or a last-minute executive order. The situation remains highly fluid.