Federal judges uphold law that could ban TikTok in US by Jan. 19

HOUSTON, United States

A panel of federal judges on Friday ruled to uphold a law that could ban TikTok in the US.

The legislation was passed in April by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden. The measure requires the popular Chinese-owned social media platform to sell to an American owner by Jan. 19, 2025, or face a blackout in the US.

"We recognize that this decision has significant implications for TikTok and its users," wrote the three-judge panel which unanimously voted to uphold the law.

If TikTok does not divest, the court said it "will effectively be unavailable in the United States, at least for a time."

"Consequently, TikTok’s millions of users will need to find alternative media of communication," the ruling continued.

TikTok will reportedly take the case to the US Supreme Court and the company is planning to seek an injunction until the case his heard, allowing the social media platform to continue operating in the country, according to media outlets.

TikTok could be granted a 90-day extension once President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20, "based upon progress" toward the divestiture order, the Appeals Court ruling stated.

Trump said during his campaign that he would "save TikTok," but reports indicate that members of his Cabinet are divided on whether the platform should be banned.

TikTok argued that the order to sell to a US company was unconstitutional, violating its First Amendment right to freedom of speech and expression.

The company's lawyers also said the Chinese company does not influence TikTok's algorithms and has been unfairly targeted for collecting user data. They argued that many American tech companies have collected and sold user data to the rest of the world, including to China.

Millions of American users will be affected if the ban takes effect. The platform is used by social media influencers as a means of making money and promoting small businesses and it is estimated that half of the US population uses TikTok, including politicians.