TikTok Files Emergency Appeal with Supreme Court to Block U.S. Ban Unless Sold

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TikTok has filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court to block a nationwide ban unless it is sold. This appeal comes after a series of legal setbacks for the company. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied TikTok's petition for the Supreme Court to review the ban legislation just three hours before the appeal was filed. Additionally, TikTok's emergency request to stop the ban from taking effect was denied two days ago.

The ban legislation, which has received bipartisan support, was signed by President Joe Biden on May 9, 2024. The law requires TikTok to either divest its U.S. operations or face a nationwide ban by January 19, 2025. TikTok has been challenging this law in federal courts, arguing that it violates the First Amendment and other legal principles.

Despite these efforts, the courts have largely ruled in favor of the U.S. government. A federal appeals court unanimously upheld the law on December 6, 2024, moving the app closer to being banned unless it is sold. TikTok's latest appeal to the Supreme Court seeks an emergency injunction to prevent the ban from taking effect until the court can review the case.

In summary, TikTok is actively seeking to prevent a nationwide ban by appealing to the Supreme Court and exploring the possibility of selling its U.S. operations. The legal battle is ongoing, with the Supreme Court being the next major venue for this high-stakes case.