To ban or not ban; US Supreme Court to hear TikTok challenge
The US government has raised concerns about TikTok’s alleged connections to the Chinese government, claims that both the app and its parent company, ByteDance, have consistently denied.

The US Supreme Court has agreed to review TikTok's final legal appeal against a potential ban or forced sale in the United States.
The US government has raised concerns about TikTok’s alleged connections to the Chinese government, claims that both the app and its parent company, ByteDance, have consistently denied.
While TikTok had sought an emergency injunction to prevent the ban from taking effect, the Supreme Court declined to act immediately. Instead, it scheduled a hearing for January 10—just nine days before the ban is set to be enforced.
Earlier this month, a federal appeals court upheld the legislation targeting TikTok, describing it as the result of "extensive, bipartisan action by Congress and successive administrations." The Supreme Court’s decision to hear the case is notable, as it typically selects fewer than 100 cases annually from the thousands of petitions it receives.
TikTok has argued that banning the app violates the constitutional right to free speech, as it would restrict the platform’s 170 million US users from expressing themselves. A spokesperson for TikTok expressed optimism about the Supreme Court's decision, stating, "We believe the Court will find the TikTok ban unconstitutional, allowing our users to continue exercising their free speech rights."
Legal experts highlight the case as a clash between national security and First Amendment rights. Carl Tobias, a professor at the University of Richmond, noted, "The appeals court ruled that national security concerns outweighed First Amendment arguments, but the Supreme Court will evaluate these significant, competing interests."
However, some observers are skeptical of the likelihood that the Supreme Court will overturn prior rulings. Sarah Kreps, a professor at Cornell, remarked that the app’s ownership by China-based ByteDance has already been deemed a national security risk by Congress, the White House, and the lower courts. "It would be surprising for the Supreme Court to reverse these findings," she said.
Amid the legal battle, political developments may also influence TikTok's future. Former President Donald Trump, who won the recent US presidential election, met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, according to CBS News. Trump, despite supporting a ban during his first term, has now publicly expressed opposition to it. However, his second term begins on January 20, a day after the deadline for TikTok to comply with the ban or be sold.
Trump recently attributed part of his electoral success with younger voters to TikTok, claiming at a press conference, "I won youth by 34 points, and some say TikTok had a role in that."
Despite Trump’s support, some prominent Republicans remain against TikTok. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell submitted a brief urging the Supreme Court to reject TikTok’s appeal, calling its arguments "meritless and unsound."
On the other hand, civil liberties groups have rallied behind TikTok, filing a joint statement urging the Supreme Court to protect the platform. They argue that banning TikTok would stifle a medium used by millions daily for communication, learning, and self-expression.