New Delhi: A US federal appeals court has dealt a significant blow to TikTok’s efforts to remain operational in the United States. The court denied the popular video-sharing app’s request to temporarily block a Montana law that could lead to a nationwide ban. This decision puts immense pressure on TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. They must now quickly appeal to the Supreme Court or face expulsion from US app stores and web hosting services.
The Montana law, set to take effect in January 2025, mandates that ByteDance sell TikTok to a non-Chinese entity. This requirement stems from concerns over national security, with lawmakers citing potential risks to data privacy and the possibility of foreign influence. TikTok has vehemently opposed the law, arguing that it violates the First Amendment rights of its 170 million US users. The company maintains that its data protection measures are robust and that a ban would unfairly target its platform.
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However, the appeals court found no grounds to delay the law’s implementation while further legal challenges are pursued. This leaves TikTok with a rapidly shrinking window to secure its future in the US market. TikTok has vowed to take its fight to the Supreme Court, emphasizing the potential disruption a ban would cause. The case is likely to be closely watched, as it touches upon critical issues of national security, freedom of speech, and the role of government regulation in the digital age.
The Supreme Court’s decision will have far-reaching implications for the future of TikTok in the US. It could also set a precedent for how the country deals with foreign-owned tech companies in the years to come.
