By Hash Techs 
The United States Supreme Court voted unanimously to ban TikTok in the country, with the ban set to take effect on Sunday, January 19th, according to The New York Times.
TikTok’s activities in the United States must cease this weekend due to a 2024 law signed by President Biden, prohibiting Chinese social networks from operating in the country.
What you need to understand
- The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously voted to prohibit TikTok in the United States.
- The application’s operation needs to cease by January 19, 2024.
Congress believes that selling TikTok is essential to address national security issues regarding data collection and its ties to a foreign adversary, showing a rising worry about the privacy and security of American citizens’ information.
A TikTok lawyer challenged the government’s decision last year, contending that the ban should not be permitted. Despite initial inclinations in favor of the government, the unanimous ruling came as a surprise.
Challenges and potential ways to address them
NBC News previously stated that President Biden was exploring options to ensure TikTok remains operational despite the potential ban. The administration has clarified that there will be no abrupt ban on TikTok this Sunday for American users. Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, the decision now rests with Biden, who may extend the ban by 90 days.
The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA – 2024) allows the US President to prohibit apps deemed as national security threats, particularly TikTok. Although initially well-received by bipartisan representatives, there are now concerns and efforts to delay or preserve TikTok in the US.
One potential way to prevent prohibition is for ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to sell the app to an American entity. As of now, there is no agreement in place for this to occur, leading to uncertainty surrounding the TikTok situation.
The future of TikTok and other options
If Biden does not block the ban from taking effect on Sunday, the responsibility will shift to President-elect Donald J. Trump, who is inaugurated on Monday. Trump has indicated a readiness to halt the ban to consider alternative choices. Without an extension or purchase of the app, TikTok will be prohibited in the United States.
Some possible methods to get around this prohibition include utilizing VPNs to reach TikTok.