Currently, the ban is set to take effect on January 19th. However, Shou Zi
Chew, TikTok's CEO, has received a formal invitation from President Trump's team and will attend his
presidential inauguration. Trump has recently expressed goodwill towards TikTok, which may influence the TikTok ban.
2025
Supreme Court Hearing
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear the TikTok case to decide whether to pause
the ban.
The hearing centered on whether the U.S. government's "divest-or-ban" law, which requires TikTok
to separate from its Chinese parent company ByteDance by January 19, 2025, violates the First
Amendment.
TikTok's Arguments:
The law imposes an undue burden on free speech by effectively banning TikTok, a platform used by 170
million Americans.
TikTok argued that the law targets "speech itself" and cannot satisfy any level of judicial
scrutiny.
The company emphasized that its U.S. operations are independent, with user data stored on Oracle
servers in Virginia, mitigating national security risks
Government's Arguments:
The law is not about restricting speech but about preventing foreign adversaries (China) from
accessing sensitive U.S. user data and manipulating content
Solicitor General Prelogar argued that TikTok's algorithm, controlled by ByteDance, could be used
for covert content manipulation, posing a national security threat
Key Judicial Questions
Justices questioned whether the law targets TikTok's speech or ByteDance's ownership structure.
Justice Kagan noted that TikTok could continue operating with a different algorithm
post-divestiture, suggesting the law does not directly restrict speech.
Justice Kavanaugh highlighted concerns about China potentially using TikTok data to recruit spies or
blackmail future government employees
Since the discussion on 10th January is not quite good to TikTok, part of TikTok users choose to
find other platforms to maintain their careers, which encounters TikTok
refugee
Shou Zi Chew Invited to Attend Trump's Inauguration
Shou Zi Chew, CEO of TikTok, has been invited to attend the inauguration of
President-elect Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C.123.
Chew is reportedly invited to sit in a "position of honor" on the dais, a spot
typically reserved for former presidents, family members, and other distinguished guests
Trump's Relationship with TikTok
Support for TikTok: Trump has expressed a favorable view of TikTok, citing its popularity among
Americans and its utility for his campaign messaging. He has over 14 million followers on the
platform.
Potential Executive Order:
Trump is considering issuing an executive order to suspend the TikTok ban
for 60 to 90 days after taking office. This move would delay the enforcement of the "sell or ban"
law signed by President Biden, which requires TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to sell TikTok to
a non-Chinese entity by January 19, 2025, or face a ban in the U.S.
Ban Deadline
If ByteDance does not sell TikTok, the app will be removed from the Apple and
Google app stores.
Trump's Inauguration
Shou Zi Chew, CEO of TikTok, will attend the inauguration of
President-elect Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C.123.
The U.S. House of Representatives passes a bill requiring ByteDance to divest
TikTok's U.S. operations within 165 days. TikTok immediately launches a user campaign urging users
to contact Congress against the ban.
Final Ban Signed
The U.S. Congress passes a bill requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok's U.S.
operations within 9 months. Biden signs the bill, setting the ban effective date to January 19,
2025.
Legal Challenge
TikTok and ByteDance hold a hearing in the D.C. Circuit Court to challenge
the constitutionality of the ban.
Appeal Denied and Supreme Court Agrees to Hear
The U.S. Court of Appeals rejects TikTok's legal challenge. The U.S. Supreme
Court agrees to hear the TikTok case on January 10, 2025.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testifies before Congress regarding data privacy,
minor protection, and relations with the Chinese government. At the same time, Montana passes a
state-level TikTok ban, which is later blocked by a judge.
Data Storage Controversy
Disclosures reveal that some U.S. user data is still stored in China, raising
further concerns.