TikTok Faces Key Court Trial Determining Its Fate In The US

TikTok faces an important hearing in the US (photo: x @itscinehouse)

JAKARTA - TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, face an important court hearing on Monday, September 16 regarding legal remedies to block legislation that could potentially ban the app in the United States from January 19.

The trial, which was held at the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, will determine the future of TikTok, an application used by 170 million US citizens, in the midst of the final weeks of the 2024 presidential election.

Both Republican presidential candidates, Donald Trump, and Vice President Kamala Harris are actively using TikTok to attract young voters.

TikTok and ByteDance oppose the law, arguing that this ban violates free speech guaranteed by the US Constitution. They refer to the rule as "radical deviation from the country's traditions in supporting the open internet."

The law passed by the US Congress in April 2024, driven by concerns that China could access US citizen data or spy on them through the app. US President Joe Biden signed the law, giving ByteDance until January 19 to sell TikTok, or the app will face bans in the US.

However, ByteDance argues that technology, commercial and legal divestment is "not possible," and without a court ruling, TikTok will face an unprecedented ban.

TikTok and the US Department of Justice requested that legal decisions be made before December 6, so that the Supreme Court can make decisions before the ban is imposed.

Although the law focuses on application ownership by Chinese companies, the White House stated that the move was not an attempt to remove TikTok, but to ensure US national security. Biden also has the option to extend the deadline for three months if there is progress in TikTok's sales.