TikTok, along with its Chinese parent company ByteDance, has requested an appeals court to temporarily block a U.S. law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok by January 19, 2025, or face a ban. The companies filed an emergency motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, emphasizing the significant impact the law would have on TikTok’s over 170 million U.S. users, particularly with the law’s looming effect coinciding with the presidential inauguration.
According to the companies, without a temporary block, the law would “shut down TikTok” just as the new administration takes office. Their lawyers argued that the chances of the U.S. Supreme Court reversing the decision are high, warranting a delay to allow for further deliberation.
“This development is critical, as it would shut down one of the nation’s most popular speech platforms,” TikTok warned. The companies also noted that the disruption would extend beyond U.S. borders, with TikTok’s operations affected globally as hundreds of service providers could no longer maintain the app or provide support starting January 19.
A three-judge panel of the appeals court had recently upheld the law, demanding ByteDance divest TikTok by early next year. The Justice Department opposed the request for a delay, pushing for swift action to maximize the time available for Supreme Court consideration.
TikTok’s appeal comes just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office, with some supporters hoping the incoming administration will take a different stance on the matter. Trump had previously attempted to ban the app during his first term, but this was blocked by the courts. He has since expressed intentions to prevent a TikTok ban and ensure American users can continue accessing the platform.
TikTok now awaits a decision from the appeals court, which is expected by December 16. If the decision stands, the future of TikTok in the U.S. may rest in the hands of President Biden and Trump, with both potentially influencing the outcome.
