Federal Court Refuses to Delay TikTok’s Sell-or-Ban Deadline

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A federal appeals court on Friday declined TikTok’s request to delay a looming ban on the app, set to take effect next month unless its parent company, ByteDance, secures a U.S. buyer. The D.C. Court of Appeals upheld the law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, which mandates ByteDance to sell TikTok due to national security concerns. TikTok’s attempt to block the ban through a temporary injunction was rejected, with the court stating that a delay was “unwarranted.”

The court heard TikTok’s claim that the restriction is unconstitutional under the First Amendment. It stated in an unsigned order that the statute satisfies the higher standard needed for such assertions. According to the order, the Act complies with the First Amendment’s standards under close examination.

In an attempt to obtain a legal respite, TikTok has declared its intention to appeal the matter to the Supreme Court. ByteDance must complete the sale of TikTok by January 19, 2025, per the law. If a sale deal is nearly finished by the deadline, President Biden can give a one-time extension of ninety days.

Given ByteDance’s Chinese roots, the rule was introduced in the midst of mounting worries that TikTok would be used by the Chinese government. ByteDance has always denied any involvement from the government, claiming that no government or state-controlled organization owns or controls the company.

President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office next month, has pledged to “save” TikTok. With over 170 million users in the U.S., the platform’s popularity has made it a focal point of political and public debate over security and free speech concerns. The case underscores the ongoing scrutiny of Chinese technology companies and the broader battle over privacy, national security, and digital influence in the United States.