Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban Law While Biden Administration Delays January 19 Enforcement

Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban Law While Biden Administration Delays January 19 Enforcement

By Marcus Delano Thompson

January 18, 2025 at 01:08 PM

The Supreme Court has unanimously upheld the TikTok ban law, ruling that the forced-sale requirement is based on national security concerns rather than content regulation. The decision validates the law's constitutionality under the First Amendment.

Supreme Court at dusk

Supreme Court at dusk

The Court's per curiam opinion emphasizes that TikTok's unique characteristics - specifically a foreign adversary's control over personal data from 170 million U.S. users - justify the differential treatment and divestiture requirement.

The January 19th deadline for TikTok to either sell its U.S. operations or shut down remains in place. However, the Biden administration has indicated it won't enforce this deadline, with officials stating that implementation will be left to the next administration.

President-elect Trump addressed the decision on Truth Social, stating he needs time to review the situation before making any decisions about TikTok's future in the U.S.

Key points about the current situation:

  • The president can grant a one-time 90-day extension to the divestment deadline
  • TikTok could technically remain operational past January 19th, though removed from app stores
  • Reports suggest TikTok may proactively shut down U.S. operations on Sunday
  • Multiple bids for TikTok's U.S. operations are emerging
  • ByteDance continues to resist selling its U.S. operations

The situation remains fluid, with TikTok reportedly considering a strategic shutdown to generate public opposition to the ban while potential divestment negotiations begin.

Browsing vinyl records in music store

Browsing vinyl records in music store

Live Nation Crew Nation relief logo

Live Nation Crew Nation relief logo

Related Articles

Previous Articles