TikTok Ban Sparks Legal Showdown as Supreme Court Decision Leaves Future of App in Limbo
(EPICSTORIAN) – The United States Supreme Court has upheld the ban on TikTok, ruling against appeals from both the platform and its content creators. As a result, the popular social media app faces imminent removal from the country unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, agrees to sell its US operations.
While the ban is set to take effect on Sunday, President Joe Biden has assured that he will not enforce it before leaving office, Skynews reported. This decision places the responsibility squarely on President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on Monday and will determine TikTok’s fate.
“The security of American data is our top priority,” the White House stated, emphasizing that TikTok can remain in the US only under ownership that aligns with national security interests. However, ByteDance has consistently refused to sell the platform, increasing the likelihood of the ban proceeding as planned—unless Trump intervenes.
What Comes Next for TikTok?
With the Supreme Court’s ruling in place, TikTok faces several potential outcomes, which include immediate shutdown, blocking access for US users, and displaying a notification explaining the ban.
Gradual Removal: If Trump enforces the ban, major tech companies such as Apple and Google could remove TikTok from their app stores, preventing updates and new downloads.
Trump’s Influence: Notably, Trump himself has become an active user of the App, amassing over 14.7 million followers. While he may attempt to delay or circumvent the ban, he lacks unilateral authority to overturn the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Tiktok Users Flock to Alternatives
With uncertainty looming, many TikTok users are migrating to other platforms. The Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu (RedNote) has seen a surge in US downloads, surpassing 700,000 installations in just two days. Meanwhile, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are also experiencing increased engagement as users seek alternatives.
Political and Legal Ramifications
The TikTok ban has ignited political controversy, particularly given Trump’s shifting stance on the issue. While he previously opposed banning the platform—arguing that it would benefit Facebook, which he called an “enemy of the people”—it remains unclear whether he will take steps to protect TikTok now.
With an estimated 170 million American users affected, the decision marks a significant turning point in the social media landscape. Whether ByteDance will challenge the ruling or seek alternative solutions remains to be seen, but the legal and political battle over the Video-sharing platform is far from over.
