A federal appeals court has upheld a law requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company to divest or face a ban in the U.S., marking another setback for the popular video-sharing app in its ongoing battle with the federal government. The court unanimously sided with the Justice Department, upholding the law’s constitutionality, which gives TikTok nine months to sever ties with ByteDance to avoid losing access to app stores in the U.S.
Lawmakers and national security officials have expressed concerns about TikTok’s ties to China, warning that the app could be used for spying or to manipulate content. The court’s decision sets up a potential Supreme Court battle over the law.
The legal arguments put forward by TikTok and ByteDance emphasized the potential suppression of free speech and the challenges of forcing a sale of the app. However, the court found the government’s national security justifications to be consistent with the First Amendment.
The court’s decision has significant implications for TikTok users, who may need to find alternative communication platforms. The law targets TikTok specifically due to national security concerns and the Chinese government’s potential influence through the app. While the court expressed skepticism over some arguments, it ultimately upheld the law’s constitutionality and its alignment with national security interests.
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