This might mean 170 million users losing access to the platform.
In a ruling on Friday, January 17, the United States’ Supreme Court unanimously rejected TikTok parent company ByteDance’s appeal to overturn a law.
What the company was challenging was a law that effectively forces the firm to either divest the app to non-Chinese owners or completely wind down its operations there.
It was passed by the United States Congress amid national security concerns of the app, which it regarded as linked to the Chinese government.
“[…]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,” part of the decision read.
Menawhile, reacting to the move of the court, the outgoing Biden administration said, “TikTok should remain available to Americans, but simply under American ownership or other ownership that addresses the national security concerns identified by Congress in developing this law.”
In response, TikTok has said that the White House, as well as the US Department of Justice, “have failed to provide the necessary clarity and assurance to the service providers that are integral to maintaining TikTok’s availability to over 170 million Americans.”
“Unless the Biden Administration immediately provides a definitive statement to satisfy the most critical service providers assuring non-enforcement, unfortunately TikTok will be forced to go dark on January 19,” the platform added.
The attention has now shifted to returning President Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated on Monday, January 20 (US time).
Trump, through his own Truth Social platform, said that he will be making a decision on the matter “soon,” but will have to “review the situation” first.
TikTok, launched in 2016, now boasts over 2 billion users worldwide and is known for its algorithm-based shortform video feed.