Arguments about the validity of a statute that essentially outlaws the social media app TikTok were heard by the US Supreme Court on Friday. The app may be shut down in the US if the law, which was enacted last year, is maintained. It requires the app to be sold by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, by January 19.

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In a statement released in December, the business stated, “We think the court will find the TikTok ban unconstitutional so the over 170 million Americans on our platform can continue to exercise their free speech rights.”

In a December decision for the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Senior Circuit Judge Douglas Ginsburg stated, “The First Amendment exists to protect free speech in the United States.” “Here, the government acted solely to protect that freedom from a foreign adversary nation and to limit that adversary’s ability to gather data on people in the United States.”

Here’s what US social media users might anticipate on January 19 if the court maintains the legislation and the business decides not to sell the app.

Can I download TikTok on my mobile device?
No, according to the law. Companies like Apple and Google will be subject to legal fines if they don’t remove the software from their stores overnight. Thatindicates that ByteDance will not be able to provide app updates, nor will you be able to download the app on your device.

If I already have TikTok, would I still be able to access it?

Hovering the cursor above the “delete app” button
Viva Tung/CNET

Yes, provided that the app is already installed on your smartphone. You can continue to use the app on your phone because it is not prohibited by law.

Your experience with the app may deteriorate over time since app shops won’t be allowed to release updates after the law takes effect. Without frequent updates, it’s unknown how long the app will function on your smartphone.

Can I use a web browser to view TikTok?
No, both internet service providers and app shops are subject to the legislation.

How can I maintain the movies and blogs I enjoy?
You may download both your own and your favorite creators’ posts from TikTok. Before January 19, follow these steps to download content from your favorite creators.

1. Launch TikTok.
2. On a post, tap the Share button (the arrow on the right side of your screen).
3. Select “Save Video.”

To save your own content, follow these steps.

1. Launch TikTok.
2. Visit your profile.
3. Give a post a tap.
4. On the right side of your screen, tap the three dots (…).
5. Select “Save Video.”

Those posts will be saved to your photo collection by the app.

“A virtual private network is a privacy tool that hides your IP address by sending your internet traffic through a remote server,” CNET’s Moe Long explains. “If I’m in New York, US, but tunneling through a London, UK, server with ExpressVPN, Disney Plus thinks I’m across the pond.”

Accordingly, a might provide the impression that you are in New York while you are actually viewing TikTok from London.

You might also be able to access TikTok by using a proxy server. Similar to a , a proxy server hides your IP address by routeing your communication via a different server first. The primary distinction between the two is that a provides more extensive privacy safeguards than a proxy server.

Could TikTok be saved by President-elect Trump?
Right now, it is uncertain. One day prior to the president-elect’s inauguration, on January 19, the bill would go into force. Therefore, the legislation will remain in effect for at least that one day even if Trump decides to make changes to it.

Last week, Trump’s attorneys also submitted an amicus brief to the court, requesting that the ban be postponed to let Trump to come up with a “political resolution.”

Until he enters office one day after the statute takes effect, Trump will not be allowed to take any action in this matter.

See what was stated in front of the Supreme Court on Friday for further information on the case. Until he enters office one day after the statute takes effect, Trump will not be allowed to take any action in this matter.

See what was stated in front of the Supreme Court on Friday for further information on the case.