TikTok, a video streaming platform criticized around the world, is at risk of being banned in the United States. A U.S. federal appeals court could rule in December on the validity of an order for ownership company ByteDance to divest assets by January 19. News Reuters.
Meanwhile, newly elected President Donald Trump said that he will not allow TikTok to be banned.
Three Justices Srinivasan, Naomi Rao and Douglas Ginsburg of the Federal Court of Appeals in Washington DC are hearing the case. Courts may consider a number of different aspects in their judgment.
Possibility of upholding the law
The court could declare the law valid, which would push TikTok to quickly appeal to the Supreme Court. This would strengthen the US government's position and force ByteDance to quickly sell their US assets.
The law is valid but declared 'unfair' for TikTok
The court may also uphold the law, saying it is unfairly tailored to target only ByteDance and TikTok. In this situation, the court could order the US government to follow the process of proving that TikTok is a national security threat, which could delay the ban.
Courts may agree with ByteDance and TikTok's claims and declare the law unconstitutional. TikTok has argued that the law goes against the tradition of a free internet and violates Americans' right to free speech.
Allegations of national security risk
The US Department of Justice has claimed that the Chinese-owned TikTok could pose a threat to national security by collecting personal data of Americans. However, TikTok has argued that the law discriminates against Chinese companies. The court's decision is expected by December 6. Any party may then appeal to the Supreme Court.
