Supreme Court agrees to review TikTok's challenge to US ban

The US Supreme Court has agreed to review ByteDance's challenge to a law that would ban TikTok in America from January 19.

“The case is set for oral argument on Friday, January 10, 2025,” read the filing, which noted that the justices will hear a two-hour oral argument.

“The parties are directed to brief and argue the following question: whether the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, as applied to petitioners, violates the First Amendment.”

On January 10, The US Supreme Court will hear TikTok's challenge to a law that could ban the platform in the US by January 19. Photo: Screenshot

The Supreme Court agreeing to hear TikTok's case is the first victory, albeit small, that the incredibly successful social media platform has scored as it seeks to challenge accusations of US user data being compromised by China-based parent company, ByteDance.

ByteDance has repeatedly denied that user data is compromised, but several months ago, in a bipartisan vote, the US Congress passed a law that demanded ByteDance divest from TikTok or be banned in the US by January 19. The law was signed by US President Joe Biden.

During his first term in the White House, president-elect Donald Trump voiced concern about potential data risks surrounding TikTok but, during his 2024 run for president, he joined the platform and quickly gained millions of followers.

Earlier in the week, Mr Trump said he had a “soft spot” for TikTok, but did not say whether he might potentially save the platform from the ban.

He could try to convince Congress to repeal the law, but that would be a long shot, as the legislation had bipartisan support.

Mark MacCarthy, a senior fellow at the Institute for Technology Law and Policy at Georgetown Law in Washington, pointed out that the Supreme Court essentially deferred action on injunctive relief, pending the forthcoming oral argument.

"This doesn’t prejudge the decision," he said.

"If, after the argument, the court feels it is likely to reject the law in whole or in part, it would grant the injunction then."

Ultimately, he believes the Supreme Court will uphold the circuit court's decision.

“It will probably give full discretion to the government with a rational national security demand conflicting with the First Amendment,” he said, before explaining his own personal stance on the law that puts TikTok's US future in jeopardy.

“A TikTok ban would be terrible on policy grounds but it should withstand constitutional challenge,” he said, saying that he thinks the law is too rooted in a confrontational US policy towards China which could quickly escalate.

David Greene, civil liberties director and senior staff attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit group promoting civil liberties in the tech world, said that EFF was pleased that the Supreme Court decided to hear TikTok's argument, adding that the DC Circuit Court which upheld the ban legislation failed to factor in First Amendment arguments, and instead relied on unproven national security fears.

"The TikTok ban itself and the DC Circuit's approval of it should be of great concern even to those who find TikTok undesirable or scary," he said, in part.

"Shutting down communications platforms or forcing their reorganization based on concerns of foreign propaganda and anti-national manipulation is an eminently anti-democratic tactic, one that the US has previously condemned globally."

TikTok issued a brief statement several hours after the Supreme Court announced it would hear the company's challenge to the law.

"We're pleased with today's Supreme Court order," the statement read, in part.

"We believe the Court will find the TikTok ban unconstitutional so the over 170 million Americans on our platform can continue to exercise their free speech rights."

LIVING IN...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Why it pays to compare

A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.

Route 1: bank transfer

The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.

Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount

Total received: €4,670.30

Route 2: online platform

The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.

Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction

Total received: €4,756

The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.

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MATCH INFO

Manchester United 1 (Greenwood 77')

Everton 1 (Lindelof 36' og)

While you're here

The National editorial: Turkey's soft power weighs heavy on Europe's Muslims

Con Coughlin: How extremists use Zoom and other tools to exploit pandemic

Nicky Harley: Peace TV preacher Zakir Naik prompts UK hate laws review

No more lice

Defining head lice

Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.

Identifying lice

Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.

Treating lice at home

Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.

Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital

Countries offering golden visas

UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.

Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.

Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.

Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.

Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.

On Women's Day

Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action

Shelina Janmohamed: Why shouldn't a spouse be compensated fairly for housework?

Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'

The National Editorial: Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?

Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis

'We are betting on you - you are the future', Gargash tells young Emiratis

Young Emiratis are real target of fake news, Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis hears

Majlis 2018: Young Emiratis see entrepreneurship and innovation on the horizon

Key facilities

Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

The Written World: How Literature Shaped History
Martin Puchner
Granta

How to wear a kandura

Dos

Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts

Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying