TikTok requested an emergency pause on a law set to ban the app next month, according to a court filing Monday. The company seeks the pause to give the Supreme Court time to decide whether to review the law. With over 170 million U.S. users, TikTok hopes to temporarily lift the measure after a federal appeals court rejected its challenge.
The law, effective January 19, 2025, would impose a nationwide ban unless TikTok changes ownership. The filing also notes the pause would allow the incoming Trump administration to evaluate its stance on the issue.
TikTok has contested the law on First Amendment grounds, arguing it would restrict public expression by denying Americans access to the app. The company also disputes claims that TikTok poses a national security threat.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld the law Friday, citing security concerns over data collection and content manipulation by the Chinese government. The court referred to previous incidents involving Chinese efforts to gather data and influence Chinese-owned businesses. However, cybersecurity experts have found little evidence that TikTok shares U.S. user data with the Chinese government.
The company warned that a ban would inflict “extreme and irreparable harm” on its 170 million U.S. users. They claim it would deny them access to a major platform for public expression, harm its advertising revenue, and hinder its ability to recruit talent. TikTok hopes the appeals court will pause the law, allowing for a more deliberate Supreme Court review.
While TikTok speculates that Trump may intervene to prevent the ban, it remains unclear how he could act. Legal experts suggest that while the administration could choose not to enforce the law, companies like Apple and Google would still face pressure to comply. TikTok also risks challenges from rivals seeking to uphold the law, complicating the legal landscape. Despite these obstacles, TikTok remains hopeful that a delay will lead to a favorable outcome.
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