These diverging views raise the stakes for the court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, as it prepares to decide the fate of a popular social media platform used by about half of Americans in a case testing the US Constitution's First Amendment protections against government abridgment of speech.
"This is the most significant free speech case in at least a generation," said Timothy Edgar, a former US national security and intelligence official who has worked in both Republican and Democratic presidential administrations.
"If we consider that there are 170 million active monthly users of Tik Tok in the United States, the volume of free speech at risk is the largest of any Supreme Court case in American history," added Edgar, who now teaches cybersecurity at Brown University and joined a brief backing TikTok in the case.
Driven by concerns that China could access data or spy on Americans with the app, Congress overwhelmingly passed the measure last year with bipartisan support, and Democratic President Joe Biden signed it into law.
It requires TikTok's China-based parent company Byte Dance to sell the platform or face a US ban on January 19.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The ultimate guide to Coldplay's Abu Dhabi concerts
Here's everything you need to know before the British band's epic performance kicks off a Zayed Sports City tonigh
Ukraine claims attack on oil depot serving air base for Russian nuclear bombers
Ukraine launched an overnight strike deep inside Russia that set fire to an oil depot in the city of Engels that serves an air base for Russian nuclear bomber planes, the Ukrainian military said on Wednesday.
Germany says borders must not be moved by force after Trump statement
Trump has refused to rule out using military or economic action to pursue an acquisition of the Panama Canal and Greenland
France warns Trump against threatening 'sovereign borders' on Greenland
France on Wednesday warned Donald Trump against threatening \"sovereign borders\" after the US president-elect refused to rule out military action to take Greenland, an autonomous territory of European Union member Denmark.
Tens of thousands flee as wildfires tear through LA
More than 30,000 people evacuated their homes as a wildfire tore through a coastal area of Los Angeles in just a few hours, and a second blaze some 50km inland was rapidly spreading on Wednesday.
Vietnam to reward traffic offender snitches
Vietnam is to pay residents who snitch on traffic offenders up to five million dong ($200) as the Southeast Asian country strives to bring rule-breaking drivers into line on its notoriously chaotic roads.
Deschamps confirms he will leave France job in 2026, successor not yet named
France coach Didier Deschamps confirmed on Wednesday he will leave the national team after the 2026 World Cup, saying it was time to stop as Zinedine Zidane appears as the heavy favourite to take over.
RAK grooming one of oldest villages into a tourist spot
Among the oldest villages in the UAE, Al Jazeera Al Hamra serves as living proof of centuries of traditional Emirati architecture.
Once dark spaces, gaming cafés are now hubs that offer big prizes
Gaming cafés, once dark, techdated spaces, have undergone a dramatic transformation into RGB-lit bustling hubs of social interaction, national tournaments, and training grounds for international champions.
Tie still alive, says Howe, despite Newcastle United's win at Arsenal
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe urged caution despite a 2-0 victory at Arsenal on Tuesday, putting his in-form side within touching distance of a place in the League Cup final.
