The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it will hear arguments over a new law that would ban use of the popular social media app TikTok in the U.S. unless its Chinese parent company allows it to be sold.
Justices said they will hold a special session on Jan. 10 to hear oral arguments in the case – an expedited timeline that will allow them to consider the case just nine days before the Jan. 19 ban is slated to take effect.
The news comes two days after TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, filed an emergency application to the high court seeking an injunction against the law, arguing that the legislation is a First Amendment violation.
Petitioners argued that the legislation from Congress is an "unprecedented attempt to single out applicants and bar them from operating one of the most significant speech platforms in this nation," and "presents grave constitutional problems that this court likely will not allow to stand."
The news comes as President-elect Donald Trump has signaled support for TikTok. Earlier this week, Trump met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
TikTok cited this relationship directly in its emergency filing to the Supreme Court, arguing that an interim injunction "is also appropriate because it will give the incoming Administration time to determine its position, as the President-elect and his advisors have voiced support for saving TikTok."
"There is a strong public interest that this Court have the opportunity to exercise plenary review," lawyers for the company said.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
