Federal judges uphold law that could ban TikTok, say platform could be unavailable in U.S.

A panel of three federal Appeals Court judges ruled unanimously to uphold a law Friday that could potentially ban TikTok in the U.S.

The legislation, passed in April by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden, requires TikTok to sell to an American owner by Jan. 19, 2025, or face a ban.

In the court's majority opinion, the justices said, "We recognize that this decision has significant implications for TikTok and its users." If the platform does not divest, the court said it "will effectively be unavailable in the United States, at least for a time."

"Consequently, TikTok’s millions of users will need to find alternative media of communication," the opinion continued.

President-elect Donald Trump can grant a 90-day extension "based upon progress" toward the divestiture order, the opinion said. During his campaign, Trump said he would "save TikTok" if elected.

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