In a landmark decision, the United States Supreme Court has upheld a law requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations by Sunday or face an outright ban. The ruling, issued unanimously on Friday, highlights growing national security concerns over the app’s data collection practices and its alleged ties to the Chinese government.
The Biden administration had previously flagged TikTok as a “grave” threat to national security, citing the possibility of user data being accessed by Beijing. In its unsigned opinion, the court stated that Congress had made a well-supported case for divestiture to mitigate these risks. The justices acknowledged TikTok’s significance as a platform for expression and community for 170 million U.S. users but maintained that national security concerns outweighed First Amendment claims made by ByteDance.
The sale-or-ban law was originally proposed in April, granting ByteDance a deadline to divest its U.S. operations. While the mechanics of enforcing a ban on such a major platform remain unclear, experts speculate it could involve app stores blocking downloads and updates or cutting access through internet service providers.
Despite the looming threat of a ban, TikTok continues to argue that it prioritizes user privacy and data security. The company has invested heavily in U.S.-based data storage and monitoring to address these concerns. However, government officials have stated that these measures are insufficient without full separation from Chinese ownership.
This decision reflects a broader effort by the U.S. to counter perceived threats from Chinese technology companies. It also sets a significant precedent for how governments can address cybersecurity risks posed by foreign-owned digital platforms, signaling a pivotal moment for global tech policy.
