Several lawmakers are petitioning President Joe Biden and the U.S. Supreme Court to take action to stop a TikTok ban that could kick in this Sunday, highlighting that such a move would infringe on the free speech of millions of Americans.

On Friday, the Supreme Court listened to a case brought forth by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, based in Beijing. As the court seemed inclined to maintain the law requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations by January 19, Senator Ed Markey, D-Mass, announced his plans to introduce a bill to extend this deadline.

The proposed legislation, which would essentially lead to a TikTok ban if ByteDance cannot comply, follows President Biden’s signing of a national security law last spring. Proponents for TikTok, which boasts 170 million users in the U.S., argue that this law breaches the First Amendment’s guarantee of free speech.

If a ban is implemented, TikTok would be rendered illegal for download from platforms like the Apple App Store and Google Play, endangering the livelihoods of numerous American content creators who earn their income from the app and likely pushing users toward alternative social media platforms.

Democrats Push for TikTok Ban Delay

The impending ban arises from worries expressed by Biden and other U.S. legislators about TikTok posing a severe national security risk, asserting that it could enable China to collect data on Americans or manipulate the content viewed by users.

However, many lawmakers are equally vocal against the ban, claiming it would violate Americans’ rights to free expression.

Senator Markey stated on Monday his intention to present legislation that would further delay ByteDance’s deadline by 270 days for selling TikTok to avoid the ban.

“TikTok creators and users nationwide are justifiably anxious. They are uncertain about their platform’s future, their accounts, and the active online communities they’ve developed,” Markey remarked in a statement. “Such communities cannot simply be recreated on any other app. A ban would dismantle a unique cultural and informational ecosystem, silencing millions.”

Markey has also collaborated with Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky, and Representative Ro Khanna, D-Calif, to submit a bipartisan brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, advocating for a reversal of a previous court’s ruling supporting the TikTok ban. In the brief, they claimed that “there are more moderate approaches that can effectively tackle data security concerns without trampling on constitutional rights.”

“Banning TikTok not only infringes on the free speech rights of millions of Americans, but it also threatens the income of creators and small business owners who rely on the app,” Khanna stated. “While we must enact laws that safeguard Americans’ data, banning TikTok is not the resolution.”

Is There Anyone Interested in Buying TikTok?

Biden has the option to extend the deadline by 90 days if he certifies that ByteDance is making significant progress in selling TikTok, as reported by Reuters.

While it may be a stretch for ByteDance to meet those demands, there are some potential buyers for TikTok.

Recently, Project Liberty, spearheaded by billionaire Frank McCourt, announced it has made a formal proposal to purchase TikTok’s U.S. assets from ByteDance.

McCourt, who previously owned the Los Angeles Dodgers, revealed last month that Project Liberty has received verbal commitments amounting to $20 billion for the acquisition. “Shark Tank” host and investor Kevin O’Leary joined the initiative last week, expressing support for the purchase plan.

If Project Liberty successfully acquires TikTok, it would only obtain its U.S. operations, leaving the algorithm—considered intellectual property by China—behind.

Supreme Court to Decide as Trump Advocates for Delay

The Supreme Court deliberated for two and a half hours on Friday regarding the possibility of a TikTok ban in the United States. By the conclusion of the session, the justices seemed inclined to permit the U.S. government to compel TikTok’s Chinese parent company to sell the app or face termination.

President-elect Donald Trump has urged the court to postpone the deadline, allowing his administration time after January 20 to seek a political resolution. Trump, who attempted to ban TikTok during his first term, has since vowed to “save” the app.

What Would Happen if TikTok is Banned?

Should the TikTok ban take effect on Sunday, new downloads from platforms like Apple and Google will no longer be available.

Although existing users could still use the app, they would be unable to receive updates, likely leading to decreased functionality and eventual failure of the app. Additionally, the TikTok website would become inaccessible through U.S.-based internet hosting services.

Contributing: Reuters