TikTok faces uncertain future as ban looms in the US

As early as 19 January, TikTok may be completely banned in the United States. On 6 December, the federal appeals court rejected the request from ByteDance. This company owns the app, to declare the resolution of the US Congress, which would result in the app's ban in the country unless TikTok is sold to another owner, as unconstitutional.

The US Congress justified the bill by citing the alleged ties between TikTok's owners and the Chinese government and concerns about the security of user data. After the federal appeals court defeat, ByteDance announced its intention to appeal to the Supreme Court. On 10 December, the company filed a legal motion to temporarily block the bill to give the Supreme Court time to consider the case. The US Department of Justice is urging the rejection of this motion.

In justifying the motion, TikTok's lawyers stated, "The public interest supports allowing the Supreme Court sufficient time to conduct an orderly process and the new administration to evaluate this exceptionally important matter." They also argued that a temporary ban would result in substantial losses for ByteDance.

The app, most popular among generations Z and Alpha, is being eyed by companies like Mark Zuckerberg's Meta, but ByteDance has categorically rejected the possibility of selling. TikTok has 170 million users in the US. It has become an informational alternative to traditional media for the young generation. On TikTok, their participants show world events in real time, without being filtered through the editorial positions of traditional newspapers or TV.

Interestingly, Donald Trump might save TikTok. Although the US President-elect himself tried to ban the app in 2020 during his first term, before the 2024 elections he announced that he will not allow the TikTok ban to come into effect. Will he keep this promise? We will find out after 20 January, when he officially takes office.

Source: bbc.com