As TikTok's January 19th U.S. ban deadline approaches, the company is making urgent moves on multiple fronts, including seeking Supreme Court intervention and direct talks with President-elect Trump.

TikTok has filed an emergency petition with the Supreme Court after an appellate panel upheld the law that would force the app's shutdown unless sold. The company is requesting a ruling by January 6th, citing the need for adequate preparation time if forced to cease U.S. operations.

In its 50-page petition, TikTok argues that the ban represents:

• A "massive and unprecedented speech restriction"
• Would cause "substantial and unrecoverable monetary and competitive harms"
• Would negatively impact "countless small businesses"
• Presents logistical challenges due to the complexity of a U.S.-specific shutdown

Parallel to legal efforts, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew met with President-elect Trump, who previously expressed having a "warm spot" for the app. However, the ban deadline arrives one day before Trump's inauguration, meaning without Supreme Court intervention or a 90-day extension, TikTok will cease U.S. operations on January 19th.

ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, maintains its position against selling the platform, citing operational impracticality among other concerns. The company faces additional regulatory challenges in other countries, making the U.S. situation particularly critical for its global operations.

The platform's fate now rests on either:

• A favorable Supreme Court ruling
• A deadline extension from the president
• A last-minute resolution to the forced sale requirement

Google and Apple have already received notifications to prepare for the app's potential removal from their stores, indicating the government's commitment to enforcing the deadline without intervention.

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