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The Supreme Court upheld the TikTok ban. Here’s what happens now

BBG News

The Supreme Court has paved the way for TikTok to be banned in the U.S. on Sunday.

On Friday, the Supreme Court approved a recently enacted legislation, mandating the Chinese parent company of the social media platform TikTok to divest its U.S. operations, otherwise risking a nationwide prohibition.

As a cinema enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: “With only a few days left before delivering a verdict, I must admit there’s uncertainty about the case details. However, what I can confidently say is that the issue seems genuine and addressing it doesn’t appear to be unconstitutional.

As a passionate film critic, I’ve been closely following the tumultuous journey of the widely-loved short-video application since the year 2020. The future of this app has been hanging in the balance due to concerns about national security, with former President Trump leading the charge to ban it. The crux of the issue lies in the possibility that ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, could aid the Chinese government by disclosing data from its approximately 170 million American users, or even installing harmful software within the app, disseminating misinformation, or contributing to the spread of disinformation.

Following President Biden signing the law in April with a Jan. 19 enforcement date, TikTok countered by filing a lawsuit against the U.S. government. The company asserted that such a ban would infringe upon First Amendment rights and contended that there was no substantiation for the claim that its Chinese ownership poses national security threats.

Over the approaching days, it’s uncertain what will transpire. According to a nameless government source, the Associated Press reported on Thursday that President-elect Biden is not planning to implement the ban and instead will let President Trump, who assumes office on Monday, decide the app’s future.

Was the decision expected?

It appears that the Supreme Court Justices expressed significant doubt towards TikTok’s argument for freedom of speech during the hearing on January 10th. This suggests they are unlikely to overturn the existing legislation.

The justices, representing both conservative and liberal views, stated that Congress was alarmed by the potential risk to national security due to TikTok being owned by ByteDance, a company based in China. They emphasized that the legislation at hand was not intended to limit free speech rights.

According to Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., Congress isn’t indifferent towards the content on TikTok, rather they are concerned about a potential foreign adversary amassing data from approximately 170 million American users.

Can I still download the app?

Effective from this coming Sunday, it’s forbidden for app stores like Apple and Google Play to offer TikTok for download or to make any updates to the social media app. Any companies violating this rule could be subjected to fines of up to $5,000 per user.

You won’t be able to access TikTok from your browser, either.

What if I already have TikTok?

Although the app will remain on your mobile device, ByteDance may abruptly terminate its operation in the United States as early as this coming Sunday. While the shutdown might not happen instantaneously, experts predict that TikTok’s functionality will gradually diminish over time due to users departing and lack of updates being released.

World & Nation

It seems that a good number of TikTok users are shifting towards using an application named RedNote, which is better recognized among its predominantly Chinese user base by its Chinese name, Xiaohongshu.

What is Trump’s position now?

Trump took a different stance on TikTok compared to his earlier term. He subsequently signed up for the social media platform in June, while running for re-election, and posted a message encouraging those aiming to preserve TikTok in America to cast their votes for him.

Over the past few weeks, the president-elect has been taking steps to keep TikTok available in the U.S., including submitting a legal brief to the Supreme Court and requesting them to postpone the January 19th deadline. He also recently had a meeting with TikTok’s CEO, Shou Chew, at Mar-a-Lago.

Following the release of the Supreme Court ruling, Trump shared via his Truth Social platform: “As anticipated, the Supreme Court’s verdict is to be respected by all. My stance on TikTok will soon be declared, though I require some time to assess the circumstances thoroughly. Keep an eye out for updates!

Could Trump stop the ban from going into effect?

The fact that the ban was enacted just one day prior to Trump’s inauguration on January 20th complicates things, as it is only the incumbent president who can impose a 90-day suspension on such a ban, and they are able to do so only if a transaction has already begun.

On a Wednesday, it was announced by The New York Times that Chew intends to show up at Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony and take his place on the podium.

Is a last-minute sale of TikTok possible?

There’s a possibility that the situation may unfold as such, but ByteDance’s main focus has been on challenging the law and retaining control of the app. The company has made it clear that it is not interested in selling.

Are there any serious bidders out there for TikTok’s U.S. business?

On January 8th, a consortium led by ex-Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt put forward an offer to ByteDance. The group, known as the People’s Bid for TikTok, also includes Kevin O’Leary, a popular investor from the reality TV show “Shark Tank.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

What is the People’s Bid for TikTok pledging to do with the app?

Should the proposal be accepted, the team intends to construct the platform with a primary focus on protecting the privacy of TikTok users, as stated by Tomicah Tillemann, President of Project Liberty, a New York-based group that put together the bid.

He stated, “Our primary goal is to outline a definite roadmap ensuring the continuity of TikTok’s energetic, lively character under U.S. management.

For us at TikTok, it’s important that users have control over their data usage, have input on how the platform functions, and reap benefits from the value they generate online.

Anyone else?

On Monday, social media influencer MrBeast posted on X: “Alright, if necessary, I’ll purchase TikTok to prevent its ban.” Later, he added that he had received numerous messages from billionaires since his tweet, expressing optimism about the possibility of making this happen.

On the same day, Bloomberg published an article suggesting that the Chinese administration might be planning to transfer the American branch of TikTok to Elon Musk’s control. However, a representative from TikTok dismissed this claim as entirely fictitious when speaking to The Times.

How are TikTok influencers feeling?

LA serves as a significant center for content creators, many of whom have spent years gearing up for exactly this point.

Approximately four years back, Nathan Kehn, aged 35, established a presence on TikTok, sharing amusing cat videos and other light-hearted content. He expressed his discontent over the government’s ability to suddenly end people’s means of earning a living in such a manner.

He found the ban extremely unjust,” he commented, adding that “many of his friends rely heavily on TikTok, and it’s going to cause significant hardship for them.

Kehn, a resident of Sherman Oaks with approximately 800,000 followers on TikTok, began strategizing for the future by expanding his presence on Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat, as a precautionary measure should TikTok ever be closed down.

In his words, “As a social media content creator, I’ve always diversified my efforts since the longevity of anything in this field is uncertain. I’ve realized over time that it’s unwise to rely on just one platform.

What would happen to TikTok’s employees locally?

In the bustling city of Culver City, TikTok maintains a substantial impact, with approximately 440 locals employed by the company, as per city estimations. This platform has proven to be instrumental for various groups such as video producers, small enterprises, aspiring musicians, and even Hollywood production studios.

According to a memo acquired by The Verge this week, it was communicated to the staff that their offices would remain operational under all circumstances.

According to the memo, the draft of the bill does not affect the entities where you work, but rather the user experience of TikTok for users in the U.S. alone.

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2025-01-17 21:01

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