TikTok has asked a federal appeals court to stop the Biden administration from enforcing a law that could potentially lead to a ban on the social media platform. This request comes as TikTok prepares for a Supreme Court review of its legal challenge against the statute.
Recently, a panel of judges ruled in favor of the government, stating that the law—which requires TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, based in China, to divest its interests in the app or face a ban—is constitutional. TikTok has claimed that if the law stands, the app could shut down by January 19, 2025, affecting over 170 million users in the United States.
In its legal motion, TikTok and ByteDance argued that even a temporary shutdown of just one month could lead to a significant loss of users and revenue. They estimated that one-third of their daily U.S. users might be lost, alongside nearly 29% of their expected global advertising revenue for the next year. The companies have emphasized that this would also result in a loss of talent, as both current and future employees would seek other job opportunities.
TikTok’s lawyers have expressed that it is critical for the Supreme Court to have the chance to review this case, given its importance. The outcome could set significant precedents regarding the government’s authority over social media platforms in relation to national security concerns.
Interestingly, Donald Trump, who previously attempted to ban TikTok during his presidency, has now stated that he opposes such a measure. TikTok’s legal team has pointed out the political implications, suggesting that a temporary injunction could provide the new administration with the time needed to review the situation, potentially resolving the issues before they escalate further.
The appeals court is being asked to make a decision on this request by December 16. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has indicated that it plans to oppose TikTok’s request, arguing that a quick decision to deny the postponement would allow the Supreme Court ample opportunity to consider the case.
