TikTok’s efforts to overturn a law that could force its ban or sale in the United States by early 2025 have hit a major roadblock, with a federal appeals court rejecting its argument that the legislation violates free speech rights.

The controversial law, supported by bipartisan efforts in Congress and successive administrations, stems from concerns about TikTok’s alleged ties to the Chinese government. Both TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, have consistently denied these accusations.

The appeals court upheld the legislation, stating it was designed to address “a well-substantiated national security threat posed by the PRC (People’s Republic of China)” and targeted foreign adversary influence.

TikTok, however, remains steadfast in its defense, announcing plans to escalate the case to the US Supreme Court.

“The Supreme Court has an established historical record of protecting Americans’ right to free speech, and we expect they will do just that on this important constitutional issue,” a TikTok spokesperson said in a statement.

The company also criticized the law, calling it based on “inaccurate, flawed, and hypothetical information” and emphasizing that a ban would amount to censorship of its 170 million US users.

The political landscape surrounding TikTok’s future could shift with Donald Trump’s return to the presidency. During his 2024 campaign, Trump indicated that, unlike his earlier efforts to ban the app, he would not enforce the impending legislation.

Bitcoin has shattered the long-anticipated $100,000 milestone, surging to $103,400 early Thursday before retreating slightly. The achievement has sparked widespread speculation about the cryptocurrency’s future trajectory and its ability to sustain such historic highs amidst its well-known volatility.

Dan Coatsworth, an investment analyst at AJ Bell, hailed the milestone as a “magic moment” and linked the price surge to Donald Trump’s election victory. Trump, who has championed pro-cryptocurrency policies, celebrated on social media, declaring, “Congratulations Bitcoiners” and “You’re welcome!”

The president-elect’s pledge to make the United States a “crypto capital” and appoint pro-crypto figures like former SEC commissioner Paul Atkins has been pivotal in driving investor optimism. Atkins, widely regarded as more favorable to cryptocurrencies than current SEC chief Gary Gensler, is expected to foster regulatory clarity, potentially encouraging broader adoption.

Andrew O’Neill, a digital assets expert at S&P Global, noted that anticipation of crypto-friendly policies under the new administration is fueling Bitcoin’s upward trend. “This momentum is likely to carry forward into the new year,” O’Neill said.

However, the cryptocurrency’s unpredictable nature remains a cautionary tale. While many have reaped significant gains, analysts like Coatsworth warn that Bitcoin’s speculative and volatile nature could lead to sharp corrections.

Despite the risks, Bitcoin’s breakthrough reflects growing mainstream acceptance and the evolving role of cryptocurrencies in global finance.

Microsoft is at the center of a £1 billion class action lawsuit in the UK, with thousands of businesses potentially in line for compensation. The claim, led by regulation expert Dr. Maria Luisa Stasi, alleges that Microsoft overcharged companies for its Windows Server software, a key tool in cloud computing operations.

• The lawsuit accuses Microsoft of unfair pricing practices, claiming the company leveraged its dominant position to inflate costs for businesses.
• Over £1 billion in damages is being sought on behalf of UK businesses.
• The case is filed on an opt-out basis, meaning all UK businesses using Microsoft’s software are automatically included unless they choose otherwise.

This lawsuit is the latest in a wave of class action cases targeting tech giants in the UK, including Facebook and Google. Such claims, enabled by legislation introduced in 2015, are still relatively novel, and outcomes remain uncertain.

The legal process is expected to take years to resolve, with little precedence available to predict success rates.

The case coincides with an ongoing investigation by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) into the cloud computing sector.

• Cloud services are integral to modern businesses, providing solutions for data storage, software licensing, and streaming services. Microsoft’s Azure, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud dominate the sector.
• Google previously raised concerns with the CMA, accusing Microsoft of using restrictive licensing practices that increase costs for competitors and undermine their ability to compete effectively.
• The company has denied these allegations, stating that its licensing terms do not significantly impact rivals’ costs or competitiveness.

If successful, the lawsuit could mark a landmark decision for tech regulation in the UK, reinforcing scrutiny on the practices of dominant players in critical digital infrastructure markets. Businesses across the nation stand to benefit from compensation, with the case also potentially influencing licensing and competition policies in the cloud computing industry.