TikTok and its parent company ByteDance are gearing up for a court hearing on Monday. The insanely popular social media platform will try to avoid, stall, or delay its nationwide ban in the US.
ByteDance still facing a nationwide ban in the US
TikTok has been facing an uncertain future in the US. The viral social media platform could be banned in the country from 2025. However, TikTok’s parent company ByteDance hasn’t given up, and will reportedly try to reverse or at least stall the administrative action.
TikTok and ByteDance are set for a court hearing on Monday. It could prove to be a crucial day for the social media platform that is actively used by over 170 million Americans.
As per recent court proceedings, ByteDance may have to shut down TikTok in America or heavily divest from the social media platform. A new law that the current US President Joe Biden signed in this year, gave ByteDance until January 19 to decide.
Needless to say, ByteDance prefers neither of the options. Hence, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia will hear oral arguments on the legal challenge on Monday.
How will ByteDance try to keep TikTok operational at the upcoming court hearing?
The US Administration has stressed that it does not want to kill TikTok. The platform is extremely popular with Republican candidate Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Both candidates are actively using TikTok to try and connect with young American voters.
The Biden administration insists it wants to end the control of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) over TikTok “for national security reasons”. ByteDance, on the other hand, is accusing the US Government of infringing free speech.
Specifically speaking, ByteDance may continue to argue that the impending nationwide ban on TikTok in the US is unconstitutional. The company could reiterate that such laws try and stifle free speech, a constitutional right that America takes very seriously. ByteDance could also ask the US court to ensure it supports the concept of an “open internet”.
