BURLINGTON, VT. (WCAX) – Is time up for TikTok? The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday unanimously upheld a ban on the popular social media app, but its future is still unclear.
The ban passed with bipartisan support after concerns the app’s owners could be pressured by China to hand over the personal information of millions of users in the U.S.
Despite the Supreme Court ruling, TikTok will likely not go dark on Sunday. But the government is expected to order app stores to remove it, meaning new users will not be able to sign up.
The action is viewed as a delay tactic to give the incoming Trump administration time to decide how to proceed.
But even soon-to-be President Trump says he’s not sure. On social media Friday he said he will make a final call on banning TikTok “in the not too distant future,” saying he needs time to review the situation.
Meanwhile, the company’s CEO is already thanking the president-elect arguing a ban stifles free speech.
“I want to thank President Trump for his commitment to work with us to find a solution that keeps TikTok available in the United States. This is a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship,” TikTok CEO Shou Chew said.
And while some people couldn’t care less whether the app stays or goes, for others, it’s a big deal.
Our Claire Jones found some passionate defenders of TikTok on the campus of the University of Vermont Friday. Watch the video to hear what students told her.
