Social Media App TikTok Challenges Legal Battle at the U.S. Supreme Court
Title: The Fight for TikTok's Future: A Legal Battle Against U.S. Shutdown
Hop on TikTok's rollercoaster ride
The operators of video-sharing sensation TikTok are pulling out all the stops to ward off the impending U.S. ban, taking their fight to the Supreme Court. The goal? A temporary injunction that delays the shutdown. April saw the implementation of a law that requires TikTok to change ownership by January 19 or face an app store eviction and the loss of critical infrastructure. If the time runs out, TikTok will vanish from American app stores.
Biden's lifeline
President Joe Biden has the power to extend the deadline by three months if promising sale negotiations are underway. But things haven't moved much. TikTok has thus far shown no interest in a change of ownership. The app boasts a staggering 170 million users in the U.S.
Trump's indirect support
Donald Trump could be TikTok's salvation. Although Trump's attempts to force a sale through the courts in his first term fell flat, he's shown backing for the platform during his election campaign. Rumors swirl that Trump plans to meet with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew. Remember, Trump's new administration will oversee law enforcement, potentially tilting the scales in TikTok's favor.
Courts claim victory
Last week, TikTok's appeal against the law was denied by a federal court. The app argued that the law infringes upon the freedom of speech guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. The court, however, ruled that the law conforms to longstanding regulatory practice, and the U.S. Congress has no intention of suppressing certain expressions. TikTok has labeled the law as an "unprecedented restriction" on freedom of speech.
Fear of Chinese influence
The platform belongs to Chinese company ByteDance. Critics cite the risk of Chinese access to American data and potential exertion of influence. In the U.S, ByteDance is generally regarded as a Chinese firm. But ByteDance disputes this, stating that Western investors hold the majority stake, and its headquarters are based in the Cayman Islands. U.S politicians, however, argue that ByteDance's Chinese founder, who controls around 20% of shares, and the company's Beijing-based headquarters under government influence, undermine these claims.
A larger story
TikTok's legal situation is tangled in national security concerns, ownership demands, and broader geopolitical tension. Microsoft and Amazon could potentially become TikTok's new owners, but ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China hinder progress. Even Alabama has launched a legal complaint against TikTok and ByteDance, alleging deceptive marketing practices. Amidst it all, TikTok must fight to maintain its U.S. presence.
Sources:
- https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/14/tech/tiktok-trump-executive-order-intl/index.html
- https://edition.cnn.com/2021/09/09/tech/tiktok-alabama-lawsuit/index.html
- https://www.bloombergquint.com/onweb/tiktok-stonewalled-by-u-s-court-could-face-legal-chaos
- https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/exclusive-us-weighs-extending-deadline-for-youtube-tiktok-deal-sources-2021-01-21/
- The operators of TikTok, seeking a delay in the U.S. ban, have appealed to the Supreme Court for a temporary injunction.
- If President Joe Biden decides to extend the deadline by three months, it could provide a lifeline for TikTok during promising sale negotiations.
- Donald Trump, with his expressed support for TikTok during his election campaign, might indirectly aid the app's future, with rumors suggesting a meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew.
- General news outlets have reported that the courts claim victory over TikTok's appeal against the implementing law, which critics argue infringes upon the app's freedom of speech.
