WEB DESK: The Supreme Court of the United States on Friday issued a verdict against Chinese social media platform TikTok by upholding the federal law that could potentially lead to the video-sharing app being banned in the country.
The court issued an unsigned opinion, with no noted dissents. The decision comes after warnings from the Biden administration, which has raised concerns about the app’s potential national security risks due to its ties to China. As a result, the ban is set to begin on Sunday.
However, there remain significant questions about how the ban will be implemented, as there is no precedent for the U.S. government blocking a major social media platform. The specifics of enforcement are still unclear.
In its opinion, the Supreme Court acknowledged that TikTok serves as a “distinctive and expansive outlet for expression” for 170 million Americans, providing a unique platform for engagement and community. However, the court emphasized that national security concerns, as determined by Congress, played a central role in its decision.
“Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and its relationship with a foreign adversary,” the court wrote.
