The Supreme Court allows a ban on TikTok to take effect in the United States, just days before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in for a second term.
The court ruled Friday after TikTok argued that a law banning the popular video streaming app violates users’ First Amendment rights.
“We conclude that the challenged provisions do not violate petitioners’ First Amendment rights,” the nation’s highest court wrote in its ruling, reaffirming an appeals court ruling.
The court noted that the provisions of the law being challenged were substantively neutral and focused on a foreign adversary’s control of a platform rather than specific speech.
Protesters outside the Supreme Court as it heard oral arguments on the TikTok ban on January 10
TikTok has about 170 million users in the US
Earlier this year, Congress passed a law banning TikTok unless its Chinese parent company ByteDance sells its shares before January 19, 2025.
Lawmakers passed the bill amid concerns that the wildly popular social media app is a national security concern due to its collection of U.S. data.
But after months no deal was reached.
About 170 million Americans use the video app, and some warned that banning the app would disrupt the businesses and livelihoods of millions of people.
Although the ban was set to take effect on Sunday, Biden indicated he would not enforce it and would leave it to President-elect Trump, who takes office on Monday.
During his first term, Trump raised concerns that TikTok posed a threat, but has since changed his tune and asked the Supreme Court to delay enforcement of the ban.
Last month, Trump met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi at his Mar-a-Lago estate and indicated he wanted to end the ban.
“I have a little warm spot in my heart, I’ll be honest,” Trump said of the video streaming app. He credits the app for helping him make gains with youth in the elections.
TikTok’s CEO will attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday.