There is a high-stakes legal battle unfolding in Washington that could reshape the future of one of the most popular social media platforms in the world. TikTok heads to court on Monday, Sept. 16, fighting to remain operational in the United States.
The dispute centers around a law passed in April, which requires TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app by Jan. 19 or face a ban in the U.S.
Signed into law by President Joe Biden, this measure was driven by concerns over potential national security risks and the app’s Chinese ownership. In this court case, the DOJ will argue that the law is crucial for protecting U.S. user data and preventing possible Chinese government influence.
However, TikTok will argue that it violates First Amendment rights and that the government has not provided sufficient evidence of any security threat.
The DOJ will present the three judge panel with classified documents that they say prove national security risks associated with the app. Neither the public nor TikTok has been able to view the materials due to their sensitive nature.
Oral arguments on Monday will be the first chance for federal judges to weigh the claims being raised and decide whether the U.S. government can ban the app or if it is a violation of free speech.
While this is the first time the argument is being heard in a courtroom, this panel may not have the final say, as the case has the potential to reach the Supreme Court.
