TikTok blow: Date set for removal from phones
In a decision today, the U.S. Supreme Court paved the way for the enforcement of a federal law that mandates a ban on TikTok in the U.S. on the grounds that it poses a "national security threat" unless it severs ties with its Chinese parent company.
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In a written statement, the court noted, "Congress determined that divestiture is necessary to address well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok's data collection practices and its relationship with a foreign adversary."
According to the unanimous decision, if the social media app is not sold by January 19, when the ruling takes effect, it will be removed from platforms such as Google and Apple, and downloading the app to devices like phones and tablets will be blocked after that date.
However, it was stated that the app, if already installed on existing phones and tablets, can continue to be used but will not be able to receive updates.
According to court filings, attorneys for the Department of Justice stated that the app would eventually cease to function once it can no longer be updated.
If TikTok decides to sell the platform by the day before January 20, when U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is set to officially take office, the Supreme Court's decision will be stayed for up to 90 days.
BANNED STARTING JANUARY 19
The law that will restrict the app's operations in the U.S. if its China-based parent company, ByteDance, does not divest its rights to the platform will go into effect on January 19.
Both U.S. President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump have previously expressed concerns about the app, while TikTok management has argued that these concerns are speculative.
On December 15, 2022, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill banning federal government employees from downloading TikTok onto government-issued devices due to "national security concerns."
The U.S. House of Representatives also banned the download and use of the TikTok app on official devices used by its members and staff on December 28, 2022. Similar laws banning the use of TikTok have also been enacted in many states, including Maryland, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota, Indiana, and Texas.
The U.S. Senate also passed a bill in April 2024 that gave TikTok an ultimatum to "sell or be banned."