The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that will decide if banning TikTok and other apps under a federal law violates the First Amendment, which protects free speech.
What’s Happening: The case focuses on the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which aims to block apps tied to foreign governments. TikTok says the law unfairly limits people’s right to share and receive information online. The Court will hear arguments on January 10.
TikTok will be banned in the United States on Jan. 19 if the court does not intervene.
Why It Matters: This case is important because it could change how the government regulates social media apps, especially those with ties to other countries. If the law is struck down, it could protect apps like TikTok from being banned in the U.S.
Critics worry the law sets a dangerous precedent for restricting online speech.
What’s Next:
• Both sides must submit their main arguments by Dec. 27, 2024.
• They can respond to each other’s arguments by Jan. 3, 2025.
• Groups with an interest in the case, like tech companies and free speech organizations, can also share their opinions by December 27.
The Supreme Court will listen to both sides for two hours on Jan. 10 and is expected to make a decision later in 2025. The outcome could impact how the government handles social media apps and free speech rights in the future.
What About Jan. 19?: TikTok also filed an application for injunction to delay the ban that is set to go into effect on Jan. 19. However, the Supreme Court will not rule on the injunction until after it hears oral arguments.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
