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Published on January 20, 2025
Supreme Court Seals Fate of TikTok, 170 Million American Users Left Reeling as Ban ConfirmedSource: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In a decisive move, the U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed the ban on TikTok, the popular video-sharing platform, which has sent shockwaves through its community of roughly 170 million American users. The court ruling, delivered just a day before the ban was set to take effect, stipulates that tech behemoths Apple and Google will have to cease offering the app on their stores, furthermore, web-hosting providers are also mandated to sever connections with TikTok or face hefty fines amounting to $5,000 for each user still able to access the platform, potentially accumulating to billions in penalties, as reported by NPR.

The platform is a vital outlet for various forms of expression and engagement, a community-builder for many. However, concerns over TikTok's data practices and ties to China have brought Congress to their conclusive stance on the platform's future in the nation. "There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement, and source of community. But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok's data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary," the court stated in the unsigned opinion as highlighted by NPR.

Arizona Democratic state Sen. Analise Ortiz, a prominent user and advocate of TikTok, finds the ban disheartening and fears the implications on free speech, she shared her concerns in an interview with the Phoenix New Times, "I think it's incredibly disappointing,” Ortiz said, “I think it sets a bad precedent going forward when it comes to free speech and what the government is censoring." Her fears do not alone stand, as business owners and creators who have relied on the app for growth and outreach are now at a loss, the TikTok algorithm's efficiency in reaching relevant audiences set it apart from other platforms according to Ortiz's insights as a communications professional.

The transition from the app will be a significant shift for users and creators alike, as Ortiz signaled her move to other platforms, but with a clear distaste for the narrowing options and increasing dominance of "tech bro oligarchs" in the space, with Musk's X platform and Meta's Facebook and Instagram becoming less appealing in light of recent changes and a shift in political winds as Trump returns to office, as Ortiz expressed her worries, “You see these two kind of tech bro oligarchs that are now going to have even more power. And with that comes the censorship of content toward a very narrow political view,” reflecting a concern for the diversity of political expression in the American digital landscape. "There’s something about the TikTok algorithm that makes it more effective to reach people who are interested in your content," Ortiz noted, as per Phoenix New Times, emphasizing the app's unique impact which will surely be missed by its vast user base.