WASHINGTON, USA – The Supreme Court ruled Friday, January 17, 2025 to uphold a controversial law banning TikTok in the United States, clearing the way for the measure to take effect on Sunday.
The decision, which rejected an appeal from the app’s Chinese-owned parent company ByteDance, cited national security concerns as the primary justification for the ban.
The unsigned opinion from the court featured no noted dissents and emphasised Congress’s role in addressing potential threats posed by TikTok’s extensive data collection practices and ties to China.
Concerns Over National Security
The Biden administration, which has warned of TikTok’s potential use as a tool for espionage and content manipulation by the Chinese government, hailed the ruling.
According to the administration, the app’s practices posed a “grave” threat to national security, with concerns centering on its ability to collect vast amounts of personal data from its 170 million American users.
“The platform collects extensive personal information from and about its users,” the court wrote, adding that TikTok’s scale and vulnerability to foreign influence justified the ban under national security considerations.
ByteDance did not contest the government’s interest in preventing China from accessing sensitive data but argued that the ban infringed on First Amendment protections.
The court acknowledged TikTok’s role as a significant platform for expression and community engagement but ultimately sided with Congress’s security concerns.
Trump’s Role and Congressional Backing
The decision thrusts the issue into the hands of President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on Monday.
Trump told CNN on Friday that he would soon decide whether to enforce the ban or extend the deadline for TikTok to sell its U.S. operations to a non-Chinese entity.
“It ultimately goes up to me, so you’re going to see what I’m going to do,” Trump said, confirming that he had discussed TikTok with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
While President Biden supported keeping TikTok operational under American ownership, his administration deferred implementation of the law to the incoming administration due to timing.
TikTok’s CEO, Shou Chew, is scheduled to attend Trump’s inauguration alongside other tech executives, signaling the importance of resolving the issue.
Potential for Delayed Enforcement
Congressional sentiment remains divided, with some lawmakers calling for more time to negotiate a sale of TikTok to an American buyer.
The law allows the president to delay the ban by 90 days if significant progress toward a sale is evident.
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) expressed optimism, saying, “If the price is right, the Chinese will sell it.”
Meanwhile, Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) criticized Beijing for blocking potential deals, stating, “It’s entirely up to China. I predict somebody will buy it, just not somebody subject to the Chinese government.”
TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has maintained that the app is not for sale, further complicating the situation.

Implications of the Ban
If the ban is enforced, TikTok could “go dark” as early as Sunday, marking the first instance of the U.S. government blocking a major social media platform.
The practicalities of implementing the ban, including how the government would restrict access, remain unclear.
The ruling has sparked widespread debate about the balance between national security and free speech in the digital age.
Conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch, in a concurring opinion, supported the ban while expressing reservations about the court’s level of scrutiny.
“Speaking with and in favour of a foreign adversary is one thing. Allowing a foreign adversary to spy on Americans is another,” Gorsuch wrote.
Liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor also concurred but raised concerns about the First Amendment implications.
What Happens Next
As the Sunday deadline approaches, TikTok users and content creators face uncertainty.
For many, the platform represents not only a source of entertainment but also a livelihood.
While negotiations and legal challenges may continue under Trump’s administration, the Supreme Court’s decision sets a precedent for addressing digital platforms with foreign ties in the context of national security.
For now, the future of TikTok in the United States remains in limbo, with its millions of users bracing for the platform’s possible disappearance.