The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Friday to uphold a law banning TikTok in the United States, citing national security concerns. The decision rejects TikTok’s First Amendment challenge and marks a significant blow to the app, which boasts over 170 million users across the country.
The ruling allows the government to enforce the law effective Sunday and potentially shut down the platform’s U.S. operations. The court’s opinion acknowledged TikTok’s cultural impact but emphasized Congress’s authority to act in the interest of national security.
“There is no doubt that TikTok provides a unique outlet for expression and engagement for millions of Americans,” the court stated. “But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address well-supported concerns about TikTok’s data collection practices and ties to a foreign adversary.”
TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, rose to prominence during the pandemic, becoming a cultural phenomenon and a major source of news and entertainment. According to Pew Research, one-third of U.S. adults and nearly 60% of those under 30 use the app. However, U.S. lawmakers and the Biden administration have warned that TikTok’s ties to China could allow the Chinese government to access sensitive user data or disseminate disinformation.
President Biden signed the ban into law last spring after bipartisan support in Congress. The legislation was expedited following TikTok CEO Shou Chew’s 2023 congressional testimony, where he defended the app’s practices but failed to assuage lawmakers’ concerns.
While TikTok’s legal team warned the app might “go dark” following the decision, it remains unclear how quickly the ban will take effect. App store operators like Apple and Google could face penalties for continuing to distribute or update TikTok. Despite arguing that the government could address security risks without banning the platform, TikTok’s lawyers could not sway the justices.
TikTok has left an indelible mark on American culture, shaping trends in music, literature, and film while also serving as a key source of news. However, the Supreme Court’s decision underscores the priority of national security over digital freedoms, setting a precedent for how the U.S. may regulate foreign-owned tech platforms in the future.
With the ruling in place, the app’s future in the U.S. hangs in the balance as creators and users prepare for its potential disappearance.
