TikTok files an emergency injunction against the US ban

TikTok, the short-form video social media platform, has filed for an emergency motion to delay its looming US ban on January 19, 2025. ByteDance, the Chinese technology conglomerate and owner of TikTok, argued that the Supreme Court needs more time to consider the case. 

In a press release, ByteDance said that TikTok has "170 million American users." The ban would impact small businesses that "would lose more than $1 billion in revenue and creators would suffer almost $300 million in lost earnings in just one month."

ByteDance stated that "the advertising, marketing, and organic reach on TikTok contributed $24.2 billion" to the US GDP, and TikTok's operations contributed an additional "$8.5 billion." 

It also argued that a stay would give "the incoming Administration time to determine its position—which could moot both the impending harms and the need for Supreme Court review." 

The company also highlighted that President-Elect Donald Trump publicly stated that he is "gonna save TikTok." The incoming security advisor for the administration has also gone on record saying they needed "to allow the American people access to that app."

ByteDance also pointed out that one of Trump's announced nominees, RFK Jr., has floated a petition online to challenge the ban. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has called for the injunction to be rejected.