Hold on to your TikTok, The court case is Sept 16th

After years of controversy and attempts to ban it, TikTok is on the brink of being outlawed in the United States again. Congress passed a measure that would force the Chinese-owned app’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell TikTok. If a sale isn’t completed, TikTok will be banned altogether. This decision comes despite the app’s immense popularity and widespread use among Americans.

Person posing in a purple outfit and sunglasses in front of a blue background, while multiple hands hold smartphones taking pictures—hold on to your TikTok moments!

Protecting American’s from corruption

The case centers on the legal challenges to the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act,” which grants the government powers to restrict or ban foreign-owned applications like TikTok due to national security concerns. TikTok and ByteDance are contesting the constitutionality of these restrictions, arguing that they infringe on free speech and due process rights.

There are major concerns over TikTok. Being owned by a Chinese company, ByteDance, TikTok has faced scrutiny over its data collection practices and potential ties to the Chinese government. Like other social media platforms, TikTok has been criticized for spreading misinformation and disinformation, particularly among younger audiences. TikTok’s content moderation policies have been questioned, with some users and organizations expressing concerns about the platform’s ability to effectively remove harmful or offensive content. Some studies have raised concerns about the negative impact of TikTok on young people’s mental health, body image, and attention spans.

A person poses playfully while multiple individuals take photos of them with smartphones in a living room setting. Hold on to your TikTok moments—this playful snapshot is one for the memories!

A tech change for all

The outcome of this case could significantly impact the legal landscape concerning government regulation of technology companies, particularly those with foreign ties. The hearing before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on Sept 16th could settle the fate of TikTok right in the middle of the 2024 presidential election.

According to AP News, The law prohibits app stores like Apple (AAPL.O), opens new tab and Alphabet’s Google (GOOGL.O), opens new tab from offering TikTok and bars internet hosting services from supporting TikTok unless it is divested by ByteDance.