Chinese-Owned TikTok Faces Imminent Shutdown as US Supreme Court Upholds Ban Amid National Security Concerns and Political Controversy
The US Supreme Court has upheld a controversial ban on TikTok, the popular Chinese-owned video app, setting the stage for its shutdown on Sunday, just a day before Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
The decision follows arguments from the app’s lawyers and content creators, who claim the ban infringes on free speech protections for over 170 million American users. However, the US government insists the app poses a national security risk, alleging it could be exploited by China for espionage and political manipulation.
TikTok Faces Sunday Deadline
The law mandates ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to sell its US operations by January 19 or cease operations entirely. Apple and Google will be required to remove the app from their stores, effectively shutting down access for users. ByteDance has refused to sell and plans to display a pop-up message informing users of the shutdown.
Trump’s Mixed Stance on TikTok
President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on Monday, has taken a surprising turn, urging the Supreme Court to delay the ban. On the campaign trail, Trump, once a vocal critic of the app, pledged to “save” the app, signaling a shift in his stance. Shou Zi Chew, TikTok’s CEO, is reportedly scheduled to attend Trump’s inauguration.
Legal Battles and Chinese Speculations
ByteDance has mounted multiple legal challenges to fight the ban, culminating in this Supreme Court ruling. During last week’s hearings, the justices appeared inclined to uphold the ban, questioning the app’s free speech arguments.
Meanwhile, reports from China suggest a potential deal involving Elon Musk’s social network X acquiring the app, although the app has dismissed these claims as “fiction.”
Trump recently held a call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, sparking speculation about possible negotiations. For now, the future of the app in the US remains uncertain, with millions of users awaiting Sunday’s final verdict.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
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