Time Ticks Away For Tik Tok As US Apex Court Upholds Ban Over Security Concerns; Trump Says 'Stay Tuned'

The Supreme Court upheld legislation on Friday mandating China-based ByteDance to divest its ownership of TikTok by Sunday, or face an effective ban of the popular social media app in the United States.

ByteDance has so far refused to sell TikTok, potentially leading to many American users losing access to the app this weekend, reported CNBC.

Photo Credit: AP/PTI; Unsplash

While the app may still function for those who already have it installed, ByteDance has also indicated it may shut down the app entirely.

In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Biden administration, upholding the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law in April.

"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 Supreme Court's opinion stated.

"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."

Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Neil Gorsuch wrote concurring opinions.

TikTok's future in the US now depends on President-elect Donald Trump, who initially advocated banning TikTok during his first term but has since shifted his position.

In December, Trump petitioned the Supreme Court to delay the law's implementation, arguing his administration needed time to seek "a political resolution of the questions at issue in the case."

Writing on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated the ruling was "expected" and emphasised that "everyone must respect it."

"My decision on TikTok will be made in the not too distant future, but I must have time to review the situation. Stay tuned!" Trump wrote.

Trump's attitude towards TikTok appeared to soften following a February meeting with billionaire Republican donor Jeff Yass, a significant ByteDance investor who also owns a stake in the parent company of Truth Social.

Trump is set to be inaugurated on Monday, one day after the deadline for TikTok's sale. TikTok CEO Shou Chew is among several technology leaders expected to attend the event, with a seat on the dais.

The Supreme Court noted in its opinion that while "data collection and analysis is a common practice in this digital age," TikTok's immense scale and "susceptibility to foreign adversary control, together with the vast swaths of sensitive data the platform collects," pose a significant national security risk.

Under the terms of the law, third-party internet service providers such as Apple and Google will face penalties for supporting a ByteDance-owned TikTok after the 19 January deadline.

If app store owners and service providers comply with the legislation, consumers will no longer be able to install updates required to maintain TikTok's functionality.

TikTok representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment.