When could TikTok bans start? When does SCOTUS weigh in? What to know

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In less than a month, TikTok could be banned from app stores across the US. But in a last-minute ruling, the Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments from TikTok and its Chinese parent company about why a ban might be unconstitutional.

In the spring, President Joe Biden passed legislation that would ban TikTok in January if its Chinese parent ByteDance doesn’t sell it. The legislation has been in the works for several years as officials fear TikTok is a national security problem.

If ByteDance does not sell TikTok by January 19, the app will be illegal for distribution through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. ISPs will also be asked to make the app unavailable on US internet browsers.

Here’s what you need to know about the TikTok ban, including when SCOTUS will review the legislation.

When will the Supreme Court review the TikTok ban?

The Supreme Court is due to review TikTok’s arguments on January 10, 2025, just over a week before the ban could be implemented.

What is TikTok asking SCOTUS to do?

TikTok wants SCOTUS to overturn a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which ruled that the law’s infringement on free speech is justified on national security grounds.

When could the TikTok ban take effect?

The ban will take effect on Sunday, January 19, 2025, if ByteDance does not sell the platform by then.

Can TikTok be bought?

Although China has previously been vocal about its opposition to selling TikTok, billionaire Frank McCourt has expressed his interest in buying the US part of the platform with a group of associated companies. McCourt, founder of Project Liberty and executive chairman of McCourt Global, said a consortium of associated companies has verbally pledged up to $20 billion for the acquisition.

But if McCourt bought TikTok, it would only be the American part and would not include TikTok’s algorithm, which China sees as its intellectual property. McCourt told CBS’ “Face the Nation” earlier this month.

Does Donald Trump want to ban TikTok?

President-elect Donald Trump’s vision for TikTok when he takes office is unclear. Despite the steps he took during his first term to fend off ByteDance, he has expressed mixed feelings about the app recently.

Last week, Trump said during a press conference that he has a “warm place” in his heart for TikTok, as he believes the app helped him gain ground with young voters in the 2024 presidential election.

“TikTok had an impact and so we’re taking a look at that,” Trump said. “I have a small warm place in my heart. I have to be honest.”

USA TODAY has reached out to Trump’s team for comment.

Why did the government create the ban?

National security concerns stem from concerns that ByteDance, which is based in Beijing, has access to US data and is sharing it with the Chinese government.

In 2020, Trump issued an executive order about TikTok. As part of the order, Trump sought to ban TikTok in the United States and prohibit any transaction with the company, according to the Trump White House archives website. However this ban never came into place.

In 2021, Biden revoked Trump’s proposed ban and issued a new executive order regarding ByteDance, which said the company “continues to threaten the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States,” a US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit court opinion federal appeals court opinion States. In 2022, Biden signed a bill that banned the use of TikTok on government entities.

What is TikTok?

TikTok is a social media application known for its short-form videos. Users can create, post and interact with videos on the app. Popular for its scrolling algorithm, TikTok allows users to post videos between three seconds and 10 minutes long. Users can add various filters, backgrounds, music and stickers to their videos.

Starring: Maureen Groppe and Karissa Waddick

Greta Cross is a national trends reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].