The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has called on the Supreme Court to reject President-elect Donald Trump’s request to delay the implementation of a law that would either ban the widely popular social media app TikTok or mandate its sale by January 19. In a legal filing submitted late on Friday, the DOJ argued that any postponement would undermine the government’s effort to address national security concerns tied to the app’s Chinese ownership.
This legal battle stems from the Trump administration’s 2020 executive order targeting TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, over fears that the app could be used to collect personal data from U.S. users and potentially pose a national security threat. Trump’s order required either a ban or a forced sale to a U.S.-based company, with the deadline now looming.
Last week, Trump filed a legal brief asserting that he should be given time, after taking office on January 20, to explore a “political resolution” to the matter. Trump suggested that a delay would enable negotiations with ByteDance, potentially resulting in a deal that aligns with both national security and economic priorities. However, the DOJ has pushed back on this argument, stating that swift action is essential to mitigate potential risks.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on this case on January 10, adding urgency to the resolution of the TikTok saga. Trump’s request highlights his intent to influence the trajectory of the issue beyond his inauguration, underscoring the complexities of balancing technology policy, trade relations, and security concerns in an increasingly digital world.
With TikTok boasting over 100 million active U.S. users, the case has drawn significant public and industry attention. Critics of the ban argue that it could set a precedent for restricting access to technology and social media platforms, while proponents maintain that it is a necessary measure to safeguard American data.
The Court’s decision in the coming days will likely set a critical precedent for how the U.S. government addresses security risks associated with foreign-owned technology in the future.
