SCOTUS upholds congressional TikTok ban, protecting our national security and data privacy

In response to today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding the TikTok ban signed into law in April 2024, Issue One Campaigns Manager for Technology Reform Liana Keesing provided the following statement:

“In a broad bipartisan vote last year, Congress passed legislation to address the serious national security concerns associated with TikTok and to protect Americans’ sensitive personal data. That law, which was signed into law by President Biden, was upheld today by the highest court in the land. The United States now has a constitutional responsibility to enforce this law.

“The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech, but it does not protect social media platforms or foreign adversaries that want to undermine our democracy. The Supreme Court rightfully recognized these facts. We cannot allow the Chinese Communist Party to weaponize the sensitive data of 170 million Americans or influence U.S. public opinion and manipulate algorithms to propagate the Chinese government’s own interests among American users.

“We deserve a healthy online information environment that enhances democracy, not one that foreign actors weaponize against us to stoke chaos. We look forward to working with this Congress to ensure Americans’ safety, privacy, and well-being on social media.”

Background

Last month, Issue One released a report on how the design and operations of U.S. social media platforms empowered foreign adversaries to wage sophisticated information warfare during the 2024 election. The report found that foreign governments spread at least 160 false narratives in the United States over the last year, especially during times of national crisis. It also provided policy recommendations to Congress about what to do to avoid the same mistakes in future elections. Read the full report.