Topline
As a deal with Oracle and Walmart continues to hit roadblocks, TikTok on Wednesday asked a federal judge to block restrictions set to take effect this weekend that would prevent new users from downloading the app.
In this photo illustration a TikTok logo is seen displayed on a smartphone.
Key Facts
TikTok on Wednesday filed a request for a preliminary injunction that, if granted, would keep the video-sharing app on U.S. app stores.
TikTok argues there is no “genuine emergency” requiring the app to be kicked off app stores immediately, especially while a larger legal challenge to the ban is heard.
Removing TikTok from app stores will cause “irreparable harm,” the company says, because “hundreds of millions of Americans who have not yet downloaded TikTok will be shut out of this large and diverse online community.”
A judge has already issued a similar preliminary injunction stopping the same restrictions against WeChat.
Key Background
U.S. regulators intended to implement the ban last week, but the Commerce Department gave TikTok an extra seven days because a deal to transfer the app’s U.S. operations from Chinese parent company Bytedance seemed imminent. Oracle and Walmart got tentative approval to acquire a combined 20% stake in a new U.S.-based company called TikTok Global. But Trump then threatened to scuttle any agreement where Bytedance retains 80% ownership of the company, and China appears poised to reject terms that further dilute Bytedance’s stake.
What’s Next
TikTok is asking the court to hold a hearing on the issue and make a decision before the restrictions go into effect on Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
