The Supreme Court announced it expects at least one opinion at 10 a.m. on Friday and the last-minute announcement could be related to TikTok’s deadline to divest the company or face the ban.
President Joe Biden has added another layer of suspense to the controversy as the AP reported that his administration will not enforce any ban while the legal process is played out.
Both announcements follow months of intense litigation from TikTok and its users, who argue the ban unfairly targets the platform, violates First Amendment Rights, and will take from small businesses nationwide that rely on the app.
The justices heard arguments on Jan. 10 on whether the federal government has the authority to restrict access to the platform. Officials claim that the platform poses risks due to potential Chinese government surveillance, while TikTok denies allegations.
Biden signed the looming ban in April, which mandates that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, sell by Jan. 19, or face a nationwide ban, citing national security and content manipulation concerns.
If the Supreme Court rules against the ban, it will entrust the responsibility to incoming President-elect Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated in three days.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to be in attendance according to the article.
Mike Waltz, Trump’s pick for national security advisor, told Fox News that the incoming president supports keeping the platform under strict conditions. He also stated the law “allows for an extension as long as a viable deal is on the table.”
