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The US Supreme Court has upheld a divest-or-ban law targeting TikTok, leaving the video app potentially facing a blackout for its 170mn US users on Sunday.
The legislation compels TikTok’s Chinese parent ByteDance to divest the platform by January 19 — the day before US president-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated — or face a nationwide ban.
The decision by the country’s top court on Friday means the video app could “go dark” in one of its biggest markets.
Unless a buyer is found and the company is spun off in a matter of days, the law requires the video app to be removed from the Apple and Google app stores.
However, US media reported on Thursday that US President Joe Biden will not enforce any ban during his final days in office, citing an administration official.
Trump has also said he plans to “save” the app when he takes over the White House on Monday, without giving further detail.
Trump previously called on the Supreme Court to delay the legislative deadline to allow for “the opportunity to pursue a political resolution of the questions at issue in the case”.
The legislation, passed with strong bipartisan support last year, was spurred by concerns that the video platform, which has exploded in popularity among teens, could be wielded by Beijing for espionage or to spread propaganda.
TikTok asked the Supreme Court to hear its case after a US appeals court rejected its challenge to the law, as well as its subsequent request to halt the measure pending further court proceedings.
The social media app sought to throw out the law by arguing it was unconstitutional and that it violated First Amendment protections for free speech.
This is a developing story
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