TikTok has taken urgent legal action to avoid a looming ban in the United States. On Monday, December 9, the company filed an emergency injunction in a federal court, seeking to delay law enforcement that could ban its app. This would give TikTok more time to prepare a case for the Supreme Court.
TikTok faces a January deadline
The legal filing comes shortly after TikTok lost its initial court challenge against the law, which is set to take effect on January 19, 2025. The legislation mandates that app stores and internet providers block TikTok if ByteDance, its parent company, does not sell the app.
A panel of three appeals court judges recently ruled against TikTok, stating that the US government has “compelling national security justifications” for the ban. TikTok, however, argues that the law violates the Constitution and unfairly targets the platform.
The company highlighted the economic consequences of such a ban: “Small businesses on TikTok would lose more than US$1 billion in revenue, and creators could face nearly US$300 million in lost earnings within just one month unless the ban is stopped.”
Appeals tied to political shifts
In its latest legal move, TikTok noted that President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to “save” the app. TikTok argued that halting the law temporarily would allow the incoming administration to reassess the matter. The ban is set to take effect a day before Trump’s inauguration, creating a tight timeline for resolution.
TikTok has requested a decision on the injunction by December 16. The company is banking on this delay to open additional avenues to challenge the ban. Even if the court denies the injunction, TikTok may still appeal to the Supreme Court for relief.
Legal and business implications
The case highlights the growing tensions between TikTok and the US government over national security concerns. Critics claim TikTok’s links to ByteDance, a Chinese company, threaten US data security, while TikTok insists it has taken measures to safeguard user data.
The stakes are high for millions of TikTok users, including small businesses and creators who rely on the platform. The outcome of this legal battle could set a precedent for how governments regulate social media platforms and apps tied to foreign companies.
TikTok’s future in the United States remains uncertain as the legal clock ticks closer to January 19, 2025. The app’s fate could determine whether the courts or the incoming administration will intervene.