ByteDance and its popular app TikTok are seeking a temporary halt to a U.S. law mandating ByteDance’s divestiture of TikTok.
The Chinese-based parent company filed an emergency motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on Monday.
They aim to prevent the law from taking effect on January 19 while awaiting a Supreme Court review.
The law could force TikTok, used by 170 million Americans monthly, to cease operations in the U.S., ByteDance warns.
Without intervention, the app may shut down within weeks, severely impacting its value and disrupting businesses reliant on the platform.
On Friday, an appeals court upheld the law, heightening TikTok’s urgency to seek relief from the Supreme Court.
ByteDance attorneys argue the court must consider the high likelihood of the law being overturned.
The Justice Department opposes the request, urging the appeals court to expedite its decision.
They assert timely action is necessary to allow the Supreme Court to review the case fully.
Adding to the uncertainty, TikTok highlights potential fallout beyond U.S. borders, warning of service disruptions for millions of global users.
The company notes that hundreds of American service providers enabling TikTok’s maintenance and updates would be impacted.
President Joe Biden faces a decision on whether to extend the January 19 deadline for divestiture by 90 days.
Incoming President Donald Trump, a staunch opponent of TikTok’s ban, could then shape the app’s fate upon his inauguration on January 20.
