Explained: What’s Next for TikTok After U.S. Court Ruling?
- THE CHINA NOW
- Dec 9, 2024
- 3 min read

Summary
A U.S. court upheld a law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok by January 19, or the app will face a U.S. ban.
TikTok may appeal the decision to the Supreme Court while exploring sale options under complex legal conditions.
China’s tech export controls could complicate TikTok’s sale, as its recommendation algorithm is considered sensitive technology.
A U.S. federal appeals court ruled against TikTok on Friday, upholding a law that requires China-based ByteDance to sell its popular short-video app or face a nationwide ban in the U.S. by January 19. This decision sets the stage for a tense showdown involving legal appeals, potential divestment talks, and escalating geopolitical tensions. Here’s what to expect next.