In a significant legal development, the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday upheld a new law that paves the way for a ban on the popular social media platform, TikTok.
The decision, which comes after months of political and legal debate, is expected to go into effect on Sunday, threatening to shut down the app that is relied upon by more than 170 million American users.
The court stated in its ruling that the law does not violate the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, noting that the new measures are aimed at protecting national security by preventing China from accessing users' personal data, according to CBS News.
The statement added, "While TikTok provides a platform for expression for millions of Americans, Congress has determined that the security risks justify this decisive action."
U.S. Concerns Over Chinese Influence
The law, known as the "Americans' Protection from Foreign-Controlled Apps Act," mandates that TikTok sever ties with its parent company, ByteDance, or face a complete ban within the United States.
The U.S. government has repeatedly expressed concerns about TikTok's data collection practices and the potential for the Chinese government to use the platform for espionage or to influence American public opinion.
Legal Battle and Expected Actions
Despite TikTok's defense that it is an American company protected under the First Amendment, the Supreme Court rejected an urgent request to halt the law's enforcement.
This comes as the platform has started taking steps in anticipation of the ban, including directing users to a website for additional information, amid fears of service disruption after Sunday.
TikTok's Future Under Scrutiny
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in the coming days, observers suggest that this decision could mark a turning point in U.S.-China relations, as well as have significant implications for the future of social media platforms.
In contrast, White House officials have confirmed that the enforcement of the ban will be in the hands of the incoming administration.