TikTok urges the US Supreme Court to block a looming ban, arguing the law violates free speech, as ByteDance faces a 19 January deadline to divest the app or face shutdown.
TikTok has asked the US Supreme Court to temporarily block a law requiring its China-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app by 19 January or face a ban. The emergency request follows a lower court ruling that upheld the law, which Congress passed in April, citing national security concerns over TikTok's data access and content influence.
TikTok argues the law violates First Amendment free speech protections, stating users should decide whether to use the app despite alleged risks. The company warned that a shutdown, even for a month, could cause it to lose a third of its US users, harming its revenue, creators, and workforce.
The law would effectively ban TikTok—used by 170 million Americans—a day before Donald Trump's inauguration on 20 January. Trump, who previously attempted to ban TikTok in 2020, has since reversed his position, saying he would seek to save the platform.
TikTok requested the court's decision by 6 January to allow time for a potential shutdown, amid ongoing US-China trade tensions.
Michael Hughes, TikTok spokesperson, stated the company is asking the court to apply "rigorous scrutiny" to the law, as it traditionally does in free speech cases, and find it violates the First Amendment.
The D.C. Circuit ruled that the government acted to protect free speech by limiting a foreign adversary’s ability to gather data on Americans.
The law would prevent TikTok’s operation in the U.S. by barring app store services, unless ByteDance sells the app by the deadline.
TikTok was fined 530 million euros ($600 million) by its lead EU privacy regulator on Friday over concerns on how it protects user information and was ordered to suspend data transfers to China if its processing is not brought into compliance within six months.
President Trump has extended ByteDance’s deadline to sell TikTok by 75 days, as talks continue to prevent the app’s shutdown in the U.S.
US Vice President JD Vance denied reports of Elon Musk leaving his government role, confirming he’ll remain an advisor. Vance also touched on efforts to cut government spending and the upcoming decision on TikTok’s future in the US.
President Donald Trump said a deal with TikTok's Chinese parent ByteDance to sell the short video app used by 170 million Americans would be struck before a deadline on Saturday.
In a high‑stakes May 18 runoff, nationalist George Simion and centrist Nicușor Dan clash in a tight race that could steer Romania’s political and European trajectory for years to come.
On May 19, London and Brussels are set to kick off their first annual summit, prioritizing a new UK–EU defense and security pact even as negotiations continue with Washington over tariff relief on British steel, cars and aerospace components.
Archer Aviation’s four‑seat “Midnight” electric air taxi will shuttle fans, VIPs and support teams between major LA28 venues—SoFi Stadium, the Coliseum, LAX and more—in 10–20 minute hops, marking the first use of eVTOLs at any Olympic Games.
On May 16, 2025, Tirana, Albania, hosts the sixth European Political Community (EPC) Summit. Under the theme "A New Europe in a New World: Unity – Cooperation
A car accident outside RCDE Stadium in Barcelona resulted in 13 injuries just before the La Liga match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona. Authorities confirmed the incident was accidental, and the driver has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, following the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
Qatar signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday to acquire 160 aircraft for Qatar Airways, a deal valued at $200 billion. The signing took place in Doha during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
EU approves 17th Russia sanctions, blacklisting almost 200 shadow‑fleet ships, 30 evasion firms and 75 defence figures, banning missile chemicals and arming Brussels to strike Kremlin hybrid and operations.
Japan is preparing for a new round of trade discussions with the U.S. as both sides try to resolve differences before higher tariffs on Japanese automobile exports take effect in July.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov has authorized state corporations Turkmengaz and Turkmenneft to enter into agreements with PETRONAS Carigali Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia) and ADNOC Turkmenistan RSC Limited (UAE), marking a significant step in enhancing country's energy sector
Adidas shareholders have reelected Chairman Thomas Rabe for another term, despite concerns from key investors over his multiple commitments and calls for leadership change.
Microsoft has announced 6,000 job cuts, representing nearly 3% of its workforce, as part of a strategy to streamline operations and prioritize investments in artificial intelligence.
Burberry, the iconic British luxury brand, has announced global job cuts and revealed a better-than-expected profit as part of its turnaround strategy under CEO Joshua Schulman.
In a high‑stakes May 18 runoff, nationalist George Simion and centrist Nicușor Dan clash in a tight race that could steer Romania’s political and European trajectory for years to come.
On May 19, London and Brussels are set to kick off their first annual summit, prioritizing a new UK–EU defense and security pact even as negotiations continue with Washington over tariff relief on British steel, cars and aerospace components.
Archer Aviation’s four‑seat “Midnight” electric air taxi will shuttle fans, VIPs and support teams between major LA28 venues—SoFi Stadium, the Coliseum, LAX and more—in 10–20 minute hops, marking the first use of eVTOLs at any Olympic Games.
On May 16, 2025, Tirana, Albania, hosts the sixth European Political Community (EPC) Summit. Under the theme "A New Europe in a New World: Unity – Cooperation
A car accident outside RCDE Stadium in Barcelona resulted in 13 injuries just before the La Liga match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona. Authorities confirmed the incident was accidental, and the driver has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.
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