The Supreme Court is evaluating the potential ban of TikTok. Here's what you need to know.

The Supreme Court is set to review a law that could ban TikTok, placing the app's future in the hands of the justices.

TikTok argues that the law infringes on the First Amendment and should be overturned.

Given that TikTok's parent company is based in China, the U.S. government considers it a potential national security threat. Officials warn that Chinese authorities might compel the company to share sensitive data on American users or manipulate the platform's content.

An appeals court has upheld the law, which mandates a ban on TikTok unless it is sold.

The law is scheduled to take effect on January 19, just before President-elect Donald Trump, who has 14.7 million followers on TikTok, assumes office. Trump has stated his intention to "save TikTok."

Key points about the case:

While TikTok is currently operational, it could face shutdown within two weeks if the Supreme Court upholds the law.

The measure, supported by both parties in Congress, was signed into law by President Joe Biden in April.

TikTok’s legal team, along with users and content creators, argue that a ban would severely disrupt their livelihoods. They claim the national security concerns are speculative and unfounded.

Despite these arguments, a unanimous appeals court panel, comprising judges appointed by both Republican and Democratic presidents, has upheld the law.

The Supreme Court will deliver its decision after Friday's arguments, an expedited timeline by judicial standards.

During oral arguments, the conservative-majority court may provide insights into their stance.

TikTok’s legal team has urged the justices to intervene before the law takes effect, warning that even a brief shutdown could result in losing a significant portion of its American user base and advertising revenue.

The court could issue a temporary block on the law if at least five of the nine justices deem it unconstitutional.

The law is poised to take effect on January 19, just before Trump's inauguration.

Trump has taken the unusual step of filing a request with the Supreme Court to pause the law's implementation, aiming to negotiate TikTok’s sale post-inauguration. This marks a shift from his previous presidency, during which he sought to ban the app.

Parent company ByteDance has indicated no plans to sell. Trump recently met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida.

Free-speech groups such as the ACLU and the Electronic Frontier Foundation have called on the court to block the law, citing a lack of credible evidence for the government's claims and warning of severe disruptions to Americans' lives.

Conversely, former Senate leader Mitch McConnell and 22 states have filed briefs supporting the law, asserting it protects free speech by safeguarding user data and preventing potential information manipulation by Chinese authorities.