Supreme Court upholds TikTok ban

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a nationwide ban on TikTok unless the app is sold to a U.S.-based owner. In a unanimous decision announced Friday, the nine justices sided with Congress and the Department of Justice, agreeing that the popular social media platform poses a threat to national security.

“We conclude that the challenged provisions do not violate petitioners’ First Amendment rights,” the court wrote in its opinion. “The judgment of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is affirmed.” Last December, the D.C. appeals court had upheld the ban.

The decision means TikTok, which serves 170 million users in the U.S., will no longer be available for download in app stores starting Sunday, January 19.

TikTok’s Response

In reaction to the ruling, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew appeared in a video posted to the platform's official account. “On behalf of everyone at TikTok and all our users across the country, I want to thank President Trump for his commitment to work with us to find a solution that keeps TikTok available in the United States,” Chew said, adding that Trump’s pledge “is a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship.”

Chew expressed gratitude for what he described as the president’s understanding of TikTok’s role in fostering expression, engagement, and community among its millions of users.

National Security Concerns

The Justice Department welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, reiterating its stance that TikTok is a threat to U.S. security. Attorney General Merrick Garland praised the ruling, saying, “The court’s decision enables the Justice Department to prevent the Chinese government from weaponizing TikTok to undermine America’s national security. We welcome today’s decision by the Supreme Court.”

Lawmakers advocating for the ban argue that TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, could serve as a tool for the Chinese Communist Party to manipulate Americans, spread propaganda, and collect sensitive data. In their ruling, the justices cited TikTok’s ties to Beijing as a sufficient basis for the ban. “Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary,” the court stated.

Backlash and Concerns Over Precedent

The ruling has sparked significant backlash from content creators, First Amendment advocates, and civil liberties groups, who argue that banning TikTok amounts to censorship and sets a troubling precedent in the United States. Critics warn that such actions could stifle free expression and pave the way for further government control over digital platforms.