The US Supreme Court has delayed its final ruling on the constitutionality of the TikTok ban until October 2026, allowing the app to continue operating in the United States indefinitely.
The delay was widely expected. The case involves complex questions about national security, free speech, and executive power that the Court appears reluctant to rush.
TikTok has used the reprieve to accelerate its 'Project Texas' data localisation initiative, which stores all US user data on Oracle's cloud infrastructure within US borders.
The company has also launched an aggressive lobbying campaign, spending $22 million in Q1 2026 alone — more than any other tech company. TikTok's 170 million US users represent a formidable political constituency.
Legal experts are divided on the likely outcome. Some believe the Court will uphold the ban as a valid exercise of national security authority. Others argue that banning a communication platform used by 170 million Americans would set a dangerous precedent for free speech.