TikTok will appear before the US Supreme Court on Friday in a last-ditch effort to overturn a looming ban, in a case that tests the balance between national security and free speech.
The social media giant is contesting a law passed last year that mandates it either separates from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or faces a US ban from January 19 .
The US government claims TikTok could be exploited by China for espionage or political manipulation. TikTok, however, denies these allegations, arguing the law infringes on the free speech rights of its 170 million American users.
Lower courts upheld the law, but the case took a twist when President-elect Donald Trump recently requested a pause to allow time for a potential deal.
Analysts suggest it’s unlikely the Supreme Court will overturn the ruling, as courts often defer to the government on national security. A decision is expected within days.
The legislation does not prohibit TikTok’s use but would require app stores to stop offering it, a move experts believe would effectively end its presence in the US over time.
TikTok is already banned on government devices in countries like the UK and faces potential full bans elsewhere, such as India.
TikTok claims the law violates the First Amendment, while the US insists it addresses a “grave” national security threat. ByteDance’s alleged ties to the Chinese government remain a focal point.
Trump, who takes office the day after the law takes effect, initially supported banning TikTok but has since shifted his stance. He has pledged to resolve the issue politically.
The case has drawn input from groups like the American Civil Liberties Union, which argues the US lacks evidence of harm caused by TikTok, and others who view the dispute as a broader fight over control of global tech platforms.
