TikTok’s Future Hangs in the Balance: Supreme Court Arguments Unfold Live!

This is how TikTok attorney Noel Francisco presents the company’s
ultimate appeal:

Firstly, he asserts that the government needed to explore less
restrictive options, such as implementing a law against data sharing or issuing a warning regarding
the government’s apprehensions. He dismisses the technical challenges that the
government claims render outright prohibition of sharing unfeasible.

Secondly, he emphasizes that this legislation specifically targets TikTok, pointing out that there exist other Chinese applications, such as e-commerce platforms Temu and Shein, which are also collecting substantial amounts of data from Americans.

Thirdly, he mentions that the US is not merely worried about hidden Chinese
influence but also about the potential for China “provoking Americans to dispute with each
other”. As far as I can discern, that is the daily function of news organizations in this
country,” he jokes.

Lastly, he argues that the Supreme Court might issue a hold on the law – enter an “administrative stay” – to allow more time for deliberation on the ruling.

He concludes by reiterating the viewpoint that the law is “in conflict” with the first amendment.

“My colleagues on the opposite side are fundamentally concerned that
content appearing on the TikTok platform could in the future somehow sway
Americans,” he states.

“The government is unable to
curb expression in order to shield us from expression. This is exactly what this
legislation does from start to finish.”