Tech
TikTok Prepares to Shut Down in the United States
Millions of Americans who use TikTok daily could soon lose access, a move that would deeply shake the social media world. If a shutdown happens, it could reshape how people, especially younger users, connect online.
Unless the Supreme Court invalidates or postpones the effective date of a law intended to compel TikTok to sell itself by its Chinese parent company, the social media platform could be shut down in the United States by January 19.
In a case that challenges the boundaries of free speech and national security, TikTok will make a final attempt to overturn a ban by appearing before the US Supreme Court on Friday.
The popular social media platform is contesting a law that was enacted last year and mandates that the company either be separated from its Chinese owner or be banned from the United States by January 19.
The United States government is contending that TikTok could be exploited by China for political manipulation and spying if a sale is not made.
However, TikTok denies that assertion, contending that it has been unjustly targeted and that the measure infringes upon the free speech of its approximately 170 million American users.
TikTok has days left
The government has prevailed in lower courts; however, the case was further complicated last month when President-elect Donald Trump intervened in the dispute and requested that the law be suspended to allow him to negotiate a settlement.
Analysts have stated that the Supreme Court’s decision is uncertain; however, it would be unusual for the court to reverse its previous ruling, even with the approval of a future president.
Within a matter of days, the Supreme Court may render a decision.
The Democratic and Republican parties worked together to pass the law against TikTok in Congress last year. The moment symbolised the conclusion of years of apprehension regarding the highly popular platform, which is renowned for its viral videos and popularity among young people.
The legislation does not prohibit the use of the app; however, it would necessitate that tech giants like Apple and Google cease offering it and restrict updates, which analysts predict would ultimately render it obsolete.
Government devices in numerous countries, including the United Kingdom, have already prohibited TikTok. Several countries, such as India, have implemented more comprehensive prohibitions on it.
Free speech rights
The United States contends that TikTok poses a “grave” threat due to the potential for the Chinese government to coerce its owner, ByteDance, into disclosing user data or altering the content it displays to further Chinese interests.
In December of last year, a three-judge appeals court decision upheld the law, citing China’s history of conducting business through private companies and arguing that the measure was justified as “part of a broader effort to counter a well-substantiated national security threat posed” by the country.
TikTok has consistently denied any potential influence by the Chinese Communist Party and has complained that the law infringes upon the First Amendment free speech rights of its users.
It has requested that the Supreme Court either invalidate the law as unconstitutional or suspend its enforcement to facilitate a review of the legislation, which it claims was founded on “inaccurate, flawed, and hypothetical information.”
