TikTok (File)

Supreme Court Allows TikTok Ban To Take Effect, Biden Admin Signals No Immediate Enforcement

TikTok (File)
TikTok (File)

The Supreme Court ruled Friday that a controversial ban on TikTok may take effect this weekend, rejecting an appeal from the app’s owners, who argued the ban violated the First Amendment. However, the Biden administration has signaled it will not immediately enforce the ban, leaving the future of the app’s 170 million American users in limbo.

The decision, delivered in an unsigned opinion with no noted dissents, clears the way for the law to take effect Sunday. Despite this, an administration said that the White House does not plan to take immediate action to block TikTok, deferring the enforcement of the ban to the incoming Trump administration.

READ: Trump Holds “Very Good” Call With Chinese President, Discusses Trade, Fentanyl, And TikTok

A White House official stated Thursday that the administration’s position remains clear: TikTok should continue to operate under American ownership.

“Given the timing of when it goes into effect over a holiday weekend a day before the inauguration, it will be up to the next administration to implement,” an official said.

While the law technically allows the government to block new downloads and updates of TikTok starting Sunday, the administration is signaling a hands-off approach, at least temporarily.

Experts suggest the delay may buy time for a potential resolution, such as a sale to an American company, which has long been floated as a way to address national security concerns.

READ: CNN’s Elie Honig Lays Out What Options Trump Has To Slow Down TikTok Ban

TikTok could choose to shut down its U.S. operations voluntarily on Sunday to demonstrate the impact of the ban. The app’s owners have previously argued that the ban violates the First Amendment by suppressing free expression and would disrupt the lives of millions of users and businesses.

The Biden administration has maintained that TikTok poses a “grave” national security threat due to its ties to China through its parent company, ByteDance. Officials fear that user data collected by the app could be exploited by the Chinese government for espionage or influence operations. TikTok has repeatedly denied these claims, emphasizing its efforts to safeguard user data and its willingness to divest from Chinese ownership.

While the Supreme Court ruling technically allows the ban to take effect, users may not notice any immediate changes. The app could continue functioning as usual if enforcement is delayed.

With the Biden administration deferring immediate enforcement and TikTok exploring its options, the app’s fate remains uncertain. Lawmakers and experts alike are watching closely to see how the incoming administration addresses the contentious issue, which could have far-reaching implications for technology regulation, U.S.-China relations, and freedom of expression in the digital age.

This is a developing story.

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