ByteDance, TikTok request pause on US ban

ByteDance and TikTok have requested a temporary court order to block a U.S. law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok by January 19.

They filed an emergency motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

The companies warned that the law would shut down TikTok, affecting over 170 million U.S. users.

Without this injunction, TikTok faces a possible ban in six weeks, significantly diminishing its value and hurting businesses reliant on the app.

A three-judge panel recently upheld the law, mandating the divestiture.

The companies argue the likelihood of a Supreme Court reversal justifies a pause for further deliberation.

Additional time

They also pointed to President-elect Donald Trump’s opposition to a ban, suggesting additional time could help resolve the issue without Supreme Court intervention.

The Justice Department has indicated the appeals court should deny the request promptly for a timely Supreme Court review.

TikTok requested a decision by December 16, noting that the next actions depend on President Biden, who could extend the deadline, and Trump, who assumes office on January 20.

The feasibility of ByteDance demonstrating significant progress on divestiture remains uncertain.

Trump’s incoming national security adviser expressed his commitment to protecting user access to TikTok while ensuring data security.