TikTok's fate hangs in the balance as a landmark court case against the US government looms. On Monday, September 16, the social media giant will face a pivotal day in court.

A federal appeals court is set to hear arguments regarding the legislation, signed into law by President Joe Biden in April, which would effectively ban TikTok if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, fails to divest the platform. TikTok has a brief 15-minute window to present its oral argument, a moment that could well be the most significant of TikTok's US existence.

The entire process is unfolding on a tight schedule, with a verdict anticipated by December, although the possibility of further appeals remains.

What's at Stake for Users?

The government's case relies on the notion that US citizens are vulnerable to risk because it is theoretically possible for the Chinese government to compel ByteDance to surrender their data. However, much of the most compelling information in the case has been redacted from public view.

TikTok, on the other hand, argues that it lacks precise information on users and stores US data within the country. The court case centers on whether a potential threat from a foreign nation supersedes the right of approximately 170 million US citizens to utilize a platform for self-expression.

ByteDance must divest by January 19, so some movement on the case can be expected in the months ahead.