DOJ Asks Court to Reject TikTok's Bid to Block ByteDance Divestment; Apple and Google Warned for January 19 Deadline

Dec 13, 2024, 04:21 PM

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has requested that a federal appeals court reject TikTok's emergency bid to block a law mandating its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest the app by January 19, 2025, or face a ban in the United States. This law, enacted in April, requires TikTok to sever ties with ByteDance, emphasizing the urgency of compliance. In parallel, key lawmakers have warned Apple and Google that they must be prepared to remove TikTok from their app stores by the same deadline. This directive underscores the increasing pressure on TikTok to address national security concerns associated with its Chinese ownership. TikTok is currently contesting this law in court, arguing that without an injunction, it will be forced out of mobile app stores by the deadline. The situation remains fluid as the deadline approaches, with significant implications for the app's future in the U.S. market.