Why is TikTok Banned in the United States & What Happens Next?

Concerns that the Chinese government could gain access to sensitive user data via the short-form video app TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, prompted the US government to pass legislation prohibiting the social media platform from being sold to a government-approved buyer.

In fact, the Chinese government has pointed to laws that allow it to surreptitiously demand data from Chinese companies and citizens for intelligence-gathering operations.

President Biden signed legislation giving ByteDance up to a year to divest from TikTok. 

The company's first legal attempt to invalidate the rule failed on December 6, when a panel of three federal judges unanimously rejected TikTok's claim that the statute violated the initial Amendment. 

The company pledged to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.

TikTok is about to be banned in US

The ban's mechanics target app stores such as Apple and Google: if they distribute or update TikTok, the federal authorities may levy civil fines. 

Internet hosting businesses will also be forbidden from assisting with TikTok distribution and maintenance.

The ban may take effect as early as January 19. However, if the Supreme Court accepts TikTok's eventual appeal, the justices may temporarily pause the law's implementation while the case is heard.

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