TikTok heads to court to fight for its life

Tiktok CEO Shou Chew testifying before Congress in January.

The TikTok ban is having its day in court.

TikTok is headed to federal court in Washington, DC on Monday to fight a law that would ban it nationwide or force its sale to a US owner.

First signed into law as part of a foreign aid package in April by President Joe Biden, the TikTok ban would go into effect in January. Leading up to Monday’s hearing, there’s been a relative sense of quiet about the app’s impending fate, both inside and outside of the company.

State and federal US politicians have argued that China could compel TikTok owner ByteDance to share US user data with the Chinese Communist Party or use the app for an influence campaign.

TikTok has repeatedly denied the claims and said they’re without evidence.

In May, TikTok filed a lawsuit to stop the ban, arguing it violates users’ First Amendment rights.

The New York Times reports that on Monday, after arguments are heard, a three-judge panel will ask questions to both sides, potentially suggesting which way they are leaning.

A decision could arrive as early as November, according to the Times — though the Supreme Court is likely to decide whether it will hear the case before the January ban date.

Meanwhile, a recent Pew Research Center survey showed American attitudes toward banning TikTok have cooled across party lines.

While half of US adults supported a ban in March 2023, according to the survey, the law is now supported by just 32%.

TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment from B-17.