The Supreme Court has agreed to hear TikTok's challenge to the ban law, with a critical oral argument scheduled for January 10th, just days before the app's potential U.S. shutdown on January 19th.

The Supreme Court Building. Photo Credit: Joe Ravi

Key Developments:

• Both parties must submit 13,000-word opening briefs by December 27th at 5 PM ET
• Reply briefs (6,000 words) are due January 3rd
• The core question: Whether the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act violates the First Amendment
• Decision on TikTok's injunction request to block the January 19th deadline is deferred until after oral arguments

Critical Timeline:

• January 10th: Two-hour Supreme Court oral argument
• January 19th: Current deadline for TikTok ban in the U.S.
• January 20th: Presidential inauguration

Important Context:

• TikTok and ByteDance maintain they won't sell the platform
• Congress has notified app stores to prepare for TikTok's removal
• The ban would affect approximately 150 million U.S. users
• President-elect Biden has expressed support for TikTok but won't take office until after the ban deadline
• A 90-day extension possibility exists but requires presidential approval

The case's outcome will determine TikTok's future in America, with significant logistical challenges involved in both implementing and potentially reversing a nationwide ban of this scale.

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