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The U.S. Supreme Court won’t block a law from going into effect that would ban the app in the U.S.
The justices voted unanimously to uphold the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which Congress passed with bipartisan support in early 2024.
The law requires TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform to a U.S.-owned company or shut down in the U.S. on Jan. 19.
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Lawmakers cited security concerns when passing the law, which was signed by President Joe Biden. They worried the Chinese government could force ByteDance to share user data and manipulate algorithms to influence U.S. public opinion.
Lawyers for TikTok disputed that concern and argued that the law infringes on American’s rights to free speech.
TikTok is one of the most popular apps in the U.S. with 170 million users.
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“There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement, and source of community,” the court said in its opinion. “But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary. For reasons, we conclude that the challenged provisions do not violate petitioners’ First Amendment rights.”
In response to the decision, the White House said President Joe Biden, who signed the bill into law, would not take further action.
“Given the sheer fact of timing, this Administration recognizes that actions to implement the law simply must fall to the next Administration, which takes office on Monday,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
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