Pcmag report says TikTok’s legal team has urged the US Supreme Court to reconsider a ban on the app, arguing that it could set a precedent for wider censorship and government control over online content. The app, owned by China-based ByteDance, is facing a ban in the US unless it’s sold to a non-Chinese owner.
During oral arguments, TikTok’s lawyers emphasized that the ban is not only unfair but also threatens the freedom of expression and access to information for millions of Americans. They argued that the US government’s concerns about data security can be addressed through other means, such as regulations and safeguards, rather than an outright ban.
Noel Francisco, a lawyer representing TikTok and ByteDance, warned the justices that supporting the law could allow the US government to censor content it dislikes. He cited the example of AMC movie theaters, which was previously owned by a Chinese company, and suggested that Congress could order the theater to censor certain movies.
Jeffrey Fisher, a lawyer representing TikTok content creators, questioned why TikTok is being singled out for harsher restrictions when other Chinese-owned firms, such as e-commerce site Temu, are not facing the same scrutiny. Fisher argued that the law is unfairly targeting TikTok and that the government’s concerns about data security are not unique to the app.
US Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued that the ban is necessary to protect national security and prevent China from accessing sensitive user data. Prelogar emphasized that the US government has a responsibility to protect Americans’ data and that the ban is a necessary measure to prevent China from exploiting this data for its own purposes.
The Supreme Court’s decision will have significant implications for the future of online free speech and the global tech industry. If the court upholds the ban, it could set a precedent for the US government to censor online content and restrict access to certain apps and websites. On the other hand, if the court rules in favor of TikTok, it UA could limit the government’s ability to regulate online content and protect the rights of tech companies to operate freely in the US.