Official announcements from ByteDance or U.S. government

TikTok and ByteDance Face Pivotal Court Hearing Over Potential US Ban by January 19, 2025

Sep 16, 2024, 11:25 AM

TikTok and its parent company ByteDance are facing a critical court hearing that could determine the app's future in the United States. The hearing, set for September 16 in a Washington courtroom, will address whether the U.S. government can ban TikTok based on classified national security evidence. The Department of Justice (DOJ) argues that the Chinese government could misuse the app, while TikTok contends that the ban would be unconstitutional and violate free speech and the First Amendment. The case, TikTok Inc. v. Merrick Garland, will be heard by a federal appeals court, and the outcome could force ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a ban by January 19, 2025. The lawsuit has significant implications, as TikTok is used by 170 million Americans. Bipartisan efforts to ban TikTok nationwide will also be scrutinized during the hearing.