On Friday, the Supreme Court spent two and a half hours discussing the potential ban of TikTok in the United States, which could take place in less than a week. By the end of the session, the justices seemed inclined to permit the U.S. government to compel TikTok’s Chinese parent company to either sell the platform or shut it down.

Last spring, President Joe Biden enacted legislation mandating that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, either sell the popular app or face a ban due to national security concerns. TikTok seeks to postpone the enforcement of this law, set for January 19, arguing that it violates the First Amendment rights protecting free speech against government interference.

If the ban goes into effect on Sunday, Apple and Google will no longer be able to allow new users to download TikTok, although current users will still be able to access the app. However, both TikTok and the U.S. government acknowledge that over time, the app will slow down and eventually become unusable because the necessary support services would be unavailable.

Donald Trump, who is set to become president on January 20, a day after the potential ban, has urged the court to delay the January 19 deadline so his incoming administration can seek a political resolution to the matters at stake.

What Will the Supreme Court’s Decision Determine?

If the Supreme Court upholds the law, ByteDance will be required to divest its U.S. operations regarding TikTok by Sunday.

During Friday’s discussion, Justice Samuel Alito inquired whether the court could temporarily suspend the law or delay it administratively.

Elizabeth Prelogar, the U.S. Solicitor General defending the law for the Biden administration, cautioned against a temporary suspension unless TikTok is likely to succeed in claiming a First Amendment right. Regarding an administrative pause, Prelogar stated she would leave the decision to the justices concerning whether they have adequate time to reach a conclusion.

When Will the Supreme Court Announce Its Decision?

The Supreme Court could announce its verdict at any moment, as they are not bound to disclose findings by a certain date.

How Would a TikTok Ban Impact Users?

If ByteDance fails to sell TikTok by January 19, the app will be banned in the United States. This will make it illegal for U.S. hosting services and app stores to distribute TikTok.

Users who currently have the app on their devices will still be able to access it, but will not receive updates, rendering the app eventually inoperable. Moreover, the TikTok website would become inaccessible through U.S.-based internet services.

Could Users Circumvent the TikTok Ban?

It remains uncertain how the ban will be enforced, but content creators are utilizing the time before January 19 to inform other users about virtual private networks (VPNs), which can help mask their locations online. Theoretically, using a VPN to simulate a non-U.S. location would allow users to access TikTok still.

However, there are circumstances where VPNs may not work effectively. Dan York, a senior advisor to the Internet Society, indicated that commonly used VPNs might be blocked, and simulating an out-of-country location may not be beneficial. Additionally, using a VPN could potentially result in slower or less reliable internet connections.

York recommends that users conduct thorough research prior to employing VPNs, as there are deceptive companies that might exploit first-time users.

Are There Any Potential Buyers?

Yes, there are interested parties. Last week, Project Liberty, directed by billionaire Frank McCourt, made a formal offer to ByteDance to acquire TikTok’s U.S. assets. Tomicah Tillemann, President of Project Liberty, noted that the organization has chosen not to disclose the amount of their bid.

Frank McCourt, who previously owned the Los Angeles Dodgers, stated last month that Project Liberty has received verbal pledges amounting up to $20 billion for the acquisition. Additionally, Kevin O’Leary, the “Shark Tank” host and investor, announced last week that he would be joining Project Liberty’s initiative to purchase TikTok.

If Project Liberty successfully purchases TikTok, it would only acquire the U.S. assets, without the algorithm, which China regards as its intellectual property.

Contributing: Maureen Groppe

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at YSL News. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross.