U.S. Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban: What Comes Next
TikTok Faces Shutdown in the U.S. as Supreme Court Upholds Ban
The widely popular social media app TikTok is just days away from a potential shutdown in the United States. On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed a federal law mandating a nationwide ban to take effect. While the decision sets a Sunday deadline for TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest from the platform or face a ban, questions remain about whether the situation could still be reversed.
Uncertainty over TikTok’s future may ripple into Canada, experts suggest, though Ottawa has stated that U.S. developments will not influence its own actions to restrict TikTok’s business operations.
The Supreme Court ruling enforces a law passed in April, pushing TikTok’s U.S. operations toward a shutdown. ByteDance has so far refused to sell the app, particularly its lucrative algorithm, and has indicated its intent to challenge the legislation in court if necessary.
Trump Administration’s Role
Incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz indicated that the Trump administration, which takes office Monday, might seek a deal to keep TikTok operating in the U.S. Waltz hinted at a possible 90-day extension provision within the law, provided there is evidence of “significant progress” toward divestiture.
“It buys President Trump time to keep TikTok going,” Waltz stated, though the specifics of any action remain unclear. President-elect Trump has previously expressed support for the app, using TikTok during his campaign to connect with younger voters. However, his administration faces legal and political hurdles, including potential challenges from Congress.
Meanwhile, congressional Democrats proposed legislation to extend the deadline for ByteDance’s divestiture by 270 days, citing TikTok’s role in supporting businesses and communities, particularly during crises like the Los Angeles wildfires.
Canada’s Position
Canada has also raised concerns about TikTok’s ties to China. Last year, the government ordered TikTok to wind down its Canadian business operations following a national security review. However, Ottawa has continued to allow Canadians to use the app while advising caution regarding data privacy.
Experts warn that a U.S. shutdown of TikTok could isolate Canadian users from American content and advertising revenue, potentially affecting Canadian creators who rely on the platform for income.
“If the U.S. bans TikTok, you’re looking at 170 million fewer users on the platform,” said Brett Caraway, a communication and technology professor at the University of Toronto Mississauga. “For Canadian creators, that’s their most lucrative audience disappearing overnight.”
Broader Implications
The U.S. law cites national security concerns, alleging that TikTok’s 170 million American users are vulnerable to data harvesting and propaganda by the Chinese government. The ban would prevent new downloads from app stores and block U.S. companies from supporting TikTok’s distribution, maintenance, or updates.
The legislation also allows for a one-time, 90-day delay if significant progress is made toward divestiture. Passed as part of a broader bill that included military and humanitarian aid for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, the TikTok provision has drawn both support and criticism from lawmakers.
President-elect Trump has positioned himself as a defender of TikTok, pledging to “save” the app and touting its role in his campaign success. However, with ByteDance unwilling to divest and legal battles looming, the app’s future remains highly uncertain.
As the Sunday deadline approaches, all eyes are on Washington to see if TikTok will survive in the U.S. under the new administration.
