Ann Arbor Times

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to deliberate on a potential ban of the popular social media application TikTok this week. This action stems from legislation signed by President Biden last April, which is slated to take effect on January 19.

Oliver Haimson, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan, highlighted the significance of this case not only for ByteDance, the China-based owner of TikTok, but also for approximately 170 million American users. The federal government has expressed concerns over national security regarding the app.

Haimson expects a swift decision from the justices due to the urgency and high stakes involved, stating: "Yes, I think it is likely that SCOTUS will rule prior to January 19."

If upheld, the ban could lead users to resort to virtual private networks (VPNs) as a workaround. However, Haimson warns that continued use without updates poses security risks and legal challenges.

The ruling might set a precedent for future bans on other apps. "With any SCOTUS ruling, its long-term precedent is often even more impactful than the current situation," he said.

Content creators relying on TikTok for income face potential financial setbacks if access is restricted. Haimson notes that many Americans use TikTok for promoting small businesses and reaching younger audiences.

The fate of existing content remains uncertain until details of implementation are clear. Access limitations may impact users' extensive archives of media created on TikTok.

Enforcement measures are expected to involve pressure on tech companies managing app stores and internet service providers rather than imposing fines on individual users.

Haimson's research into social media app bans reveals how essential platforms like TikTok become in people's lives. Losing access prompts users to seek alternative technologies—a challenging process known as infrastructural migration.