The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a federal decision to ban TikTok, allowing it to proceed due to national security concerns about the Chinese-owned app.

The high court's ruling enables incoming President Donald Trump to decide the platform's fate in the U.S. as his second term begins, as the Daily Mail reports.

The ban, originally legislated by Congress over concerns about American user data safety, particularly involves TikTok's parent company ByteDance.

If the Chinese company does not sell its stake by Jan. 19, TikTok will be officially prohibited in the United States.

Court's Decision Comes Just Before Inauguration

Legal proceedings escalated to the Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments on Jan. 10. On Friday, the court issued its decision. The legislation casting the ban was found to be content-neutral, addressing concerns rather than infringing on free speech rights as TikTok argued.

The ruling stated, "We conclude that the challenged provisions do not violate petitioners’ First Amendment rights," discrediting TikTok's claim against the ban. The platform's legal team, however, had previously insisted the law unjustly targeted the app.

TikTok Reacts to Supreme Court Ruling

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew publicly responded with gratitude towards Trump for expressing willingness to consider a potential resolution that would allow TikTok to remain operational in the U.S. His video emphasized the company's readiness to collaborate with American leadership to secure a future for the platform in the country.

Furthermore, Chew remarked that the initial support was “a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship.” The company, representing around 170 million users in the U.S., stands firm in its belief that it should continue to operate freely.

Political Landscape Surrounding TikTok's Fate

Trump's past criticisms of TikTok were hinged on national security risks. Recently, however, his language softened, acknowledging the role TikTok played in engaging young voters -- a group that significantly propelled his re-election campaign.

Despite this acknowledgment at a news conference, where Trump mentioned having "a little bit of a warm spot" for TikTok, he stressed the importance of reviewing the company’s association thoroughly. On Truth Social, Trump stated, "My decision on TikTok will be made in the not-too-distant future, but I must have time to review the situation."

Shift of Responsibility to Trump's New Term

Attorney General Merrick Garland supported the Supreme Court’s decision and highlighted sanctions against the “unfettered access to millions of Americans' sensitive data" by external entities.

This context underscores the Justice Department’s stance on privacy and data protection.

Despite the impending ban, outgoing President Joe Biden has indicated that he will leave the final decision on TikTok’s operations to the incoming administration.

This transition places the responsibility squarely on Trump’s policy choices as he begins his term.

International Dimensions and Uncertain Future

As key players weigh in, Sen. Tom Cotton referred to TikTok as "a communist spy app," criticizing the Chinese government’s refusal to allow ByteDance to divest its stake as a sign of the app's espionage risks.

Adding another layer, President Trump has mentioned discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, hinting at possible cooperative efforts regarding TikTok’s future. These conversations may shape or alter the approach to handling TikTok’s operation in the U.S.

In conclusion, TikTok’s situation illustrates a complex intersection of technology, politics, and international relations, highlighting the challenges and considerations of governing modern digital platforms.

The coming weeks will be crucial in determining how TikTok navigates its challenging position under the shadow of a potential nationwide ban.