TikTok ban latest: Where things stand after Supreme Court hearing
SCOTUS hears arguments on TikTok as U.S. ban looms
The Supreme Court on Friday heard oral arguments over the future of TikTok after a new law is requiring ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, to either sell the app or shut it down in the U.S. by January 19. LiveNOW's Christina Evans breaks it down with Adam Kovacevich, a tech policy expert.
LOS ANGELES - The Supreme Court is preparing to issue a ruling that could determine TikTok’s future in the United States. With a Jan. 19 deadline approaching, ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, is required to sell its U.S. operations or face a nationwide ban. The legislation, signed into law by President Joe Biden last year, cites national security concerns over the app’s ties to China.
TikTok and ByteDance have challenged the law, arguing that it infringes on First Amendment rights and unfairly targets the company. During oral arguments on Jan. 10, justices appeared skeptical of TikTok’s claims but did not indicate when a decision would be issued.
What is the TikTok ban law?
The law, which passed with bipartisan support, mandates that ByteDance sell TikTok’s U.S. operations by Jan. 19 or face a ban.
If the sale is not completed by that date, TikTok will be blocked from U.S. app stores, and existing users will lose access to updates and support. ByteDance has contested the law, claiming it violates First Amendment rights, but the court’s actions suggest it is likely to move forward with the deadline.
When will the Supreme Court decide on TikTok’s future?
What we know:
The Supreme Court heard arguments on Jan. 10 about the law requiring TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations by Jan. 19 or face a ban. The law, passed last year and signed by President Joe Biden, cites national security concerns over the company’s ties to the Chinese government.
The TikTok app and logo are seen on a mobile device in this illustration photo taken in Warsaw, Poland on 14 January, 2025. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
If upheld, the law would remove TikTok from U.S. app stores, making it inaccessible for new downloads. Existing users could still use the app, but it would degrade over time without updates or technical support.
What we don't know:
The Supreme Court has not announced when it will issue a ruling, though the Jan. 19 deadline adds urgency. It’s also unclear whether justices might grant a temporary delay to allow more time for review or negotiations.
Additionally, the outcome of ByteDance’s efforts to find a buyer for TikTok remains uncertain, as any deal would exclude the app’s algorithm, which China considers intellectual property.
Who might buy TikTok if it’s sold?
The backstory:
Project Liberty, led by billionaire Frank McCourt, has emerged as a potential buyer for TikTok’s U.S. assets. The group has secured verbal commitments of up to $20 billion to fund the purchase, although any deal would exclude TikTok’s algorithm, which China regards as intellectual property.
The push to sell TikTok has been ongoing since 2020, when former President Donald Trump initially sought to force the sale. However, those efforts stalled, and the current legislation has reignited the debate over TikTok’s future in the U.S.
The Source
This story is based on reporting from Axios FOX TV Stations and the Associated Press, with additional information from Supreme Court proceedings and government statements.