Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban, App May Shut Down Jan. 19 in the U.S.

variety.com:

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor TikTok could fade to black in the U.S. in a matter of days after the Supreme Court rejected its appeal to halt a law that will ban the popular video app as of Jan.

19 unless Chinese parent ByteDance sells its stake. “There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement, and source of community,” the Supreme Court wrote in its opinion in the case. “But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary.” The court said that “we conclude that the challenged provisions do not violate petitioners’ First Amendment rights.” The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the U.S.

Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, ByteDance has not publicly indicated willingness to sell its TikTok ownership.

Reps for TikTok did not immediately provide comment on the court ruling. TikTok has told employees that they will still have jobs regardless of the Supreme Court ruling.