US District Judge Dismisses Trump’s TikTok Ban “For Now”

SAN FRANCISCO, KOMPAS.com – A judge ruled late Sunday to dismiss the US’ TikTok ban and that for now, users can continue downloading the video snippet-sharing mobile app.

District Judge Carl Nichols issued a temporary injunction at the request of TikTok, which the White House has called a national security threat, alleging that its Chinese parent firm is tied to Beijing.

A TikTok ban order from US President Donald Trump aimed to ban new downloads of the mobile app at the end of Sunday, but allowed until November 12 for a second phase aimed at stopping TikTok from operating in the US entirely.

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The judge denied TikTok's request to also suspend the November 12 ban, but noted that his decision was "for now".

What about TikTok lovers?

The TikTok ruling means that the app's users in the US will wake Monday to life as usual, at least in regard to their enjoyment of the platform.

That was going to be the case anyway, since the TikTok ban that had been poised to take effect Sunday only applied to new downloads and updates.

However, getting access to updates means longtime TikTok users will be able to get security patches to keep them better protected while using the app.

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It also means US users will be able to get any new features TikTok releases.

Where from here?

The judge's order tells TikTok and the US to work out a schedule to proceed, and that typically means the court wants opposing parties to find middle ground.

"My sense is that it is a pragmatic splitting of the baby for the short term, to give a little time for them to resolve the disputes and come to a resolution." said the University of Richmond Law School Professor Carl Tobias.

Once lawyers get a chance to review the reasoning behind the judge's decision, the US could appeal the decision putting a hold on the download ban.