The United States Supreme Court has delivered a ruling to uphold a nationwide ban on TikTok, effective this Sunday, unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divests the platform to an American entity.
The decision, which came in a unanimous 9-0 vote, was made due to issues about possible data security risks caused by the app’s Chinese ownership.
The ban will affect over 170 million American users who rely on TikTok for entertainment, community engagement, and business purposes.
In a statement following the ruling, the White House noted the need for the platform to operate under ownership that resolves national security issues.
Outgoing President Joe Biden has confirmed he will not intervene before his term ends, leaving the decision to enforce or suspend the ban to President-elect Donald Trump, who assumes office on Monday.
TikTok has reportedly prepared to comply with the ruling by shutting down its operations in the United States. Users attempting to access the app after Sunday are expected to see a notification redirecting them to a website providing information about the ban.
At a recent court hearing, TikTok’s legal team revealed that the platform would “go dark” if the ban comes into effect.
While everyone is uncertain about Trump’s next move, he has stated his intention to review the situation before making a decision. Despite being an avid TikTok user with over 14.8 million followers, Trump’s options are limited, as he cannot overturn the court’s ruling but may delay enforcement temporarily.
The ban, rooted in bipartisan legislation signed into law last April, prohibits US companies from hosting TikTok on app stores or providing essential services to maintain the platform.
However, reports reveal that it infringes on free speech rights. TikTok maintains that the app does not pose a security threat and has refused to sell to an American firm.
With the deadline approaching, many US TikTok users are exploring alternatives. Some are migrating to platforms like Xiaohongshu, a Chinese app gaining popularity, while others gravitate towards established options such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.
The situation remains fluid, with questions over whether the ban will result in a total shutdown or a phased decline as updates cease and technical issues grow. For now, millions of users face the abrupt reality of losing one of the most popular social media platforms in the country.
