The US Supreme Court is set to make a critical decision regarding a law that could ban TikTok in the US over national security issues, reports said. The law mandates that TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, must sell the platform or cease operations by January 19.

In a recent hearing, the court’s nine justices listened to arguments from TikTok’s lawyers and content creators, who argued that the ban would infringe on the free speech rights of more than 170 million US users. They emphasised that TikTok serves as a “vital platform” for expression and creativity, particularly among younger audiences.

The US government contends that without a sale, TikTok could be manipulated by China for espionage and political influence. Justice Department lawyer Elizabeth B Prelogar highlighted the inherent risks, stating that Beijing could leverage TikTok to harm US interests at any moment.

The court’s deliberations also touched on the implications of censorship, with former US Solicitor General Noel Francisco arguing that the ban would set a dangerous precedent. He stated, “The government cannot restrict speech in order to protect us from speech,” underscoring the First Amendment rights of TikTok users.

While the law does not outright ban the app, it compelled tech giants like Apple and Google to remove it from their stores and halt updates, which many analysts believe would effectively render it unusable over time. TikTok has consistently denied any influence from the Chinese Communist Party and insists that the law violates First Amendment protections.

The law, which garnered bipartisan support in Congress, reflected growing apprehensions about TikTok’s potential misuse. A previous appeals court ruling upheld the law, declaring it a justified measure to address a well-documented national security threat.

As the January 19 deadline approaches, President-elect Donald Trump has expressed his opposition to the ban, urging the court to delay its decision until he assumes office to explore a potential “political solution.”

Legal experts predict that the Supreme Court may lean toward the government’s national security arguments, with some suggesting a majority of justices could side with the administration. However, the debate over free speech rights remains a significant factor in their deliberations.

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In a show of support, over a hundred TikTok creators and advocates rallied in freezing temperatures outside the court, emphasising the platform’s role in providing financial independence and community for many. Creators like Chloe Joy Sexton expressed concerns that a ban would jeopardize their livelihoods and disrupt the vibrant community built on the platform.