TikTok has requested a federal appeals court to prevent the Biden administration from enforcing a law that could result in a ban on the platform until the Supreme Court reviews its challenge to the statute.
A panel of three judges on the same court recently ruled in favor of the government, deeming the law, which requires TikTok’s China-based parent company ByteDance to divest its stakes in the social media company or face a ban, as constitutional.
The big picture: Both TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, have warned that if the law is not overturned, TikTok would shut down by January 19, 2025, affecting over 170 million American users.
- TikTok’s legal filing argues that even a temporary shutdown would result in losing about a third of its daily users in the US, as well as a significant portion of its advertising revenue and talent pool.
- The company is appealing to the Supreme Court to review the case, as it raises novel issues about social media platforms and government restrictions in the name of national security.
Go deeper: President-elect Donald Trump, a previous proponent of banning TikTok, has indicated a change in stance, opposing such action now.
What we’re watching: The companies are asking for an enforcement pause, with a decision requested by December 16, while the Department of Justice plans to oppose the request.
