TikTok is moving closer to being banned in the United States

AUSTIN, Texas - TikTok is moving closer to being banned in the United States.

This month, a panel of federal judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia circuit denied an emergency plea to block a law that would ban TikTok.

On Monday, TikTok turned to the Supreme Court asking for a block on the federal law.

RELATED: TikTok asks SCOTUS to block potential US ban

The law was created to protect Americans' data and right to free speech, it requires China-based parent company Bytedance to sell TikTok, or it will be banned. 

President Biden signed the bill in April.

"It's kind of oppressive. Getting rid of a whole app that millions of Americans use. And I don't know, they can say it's for the safety of the country, but I mean, I’m really seeing concrete proof. I would say it's probably older lawmakers. You know, a lot of younger people are in charge of making our laws. I see them mostly, you know, side with TikTok," says TikTok user Truman Clare.

Lawmakers are concerned Chinese authorities could force Bytedance to hand over TikTok data to American users, exposing sensitive information.

TikTok account holders say the app is used on a daily basis and provides an income for businesses and influencers. It has nearly 170 million American users.

"It gives you an easier way to discover businesses that you wouldn't see in person. It's almost like an online flea market kind of thing or there are so many little shops that you get to see," says TikTok user Pace Kalka.

"I feel like it gives you more real results. You know, Google will get you a specific, correct answer. But, you can really see what's going on with the situation on TikTok," says Clare.

TikTok sued the government over the law in May and denies it could be used by Beijing to spy on or manipulate Americans.

Users are grappling with the thought of the app no longer being accessible.

"It would be insane if it actually did get banned because I know, like, my little sister is always on it. She is pretty. She has a lot of followers, and I just like watching videos on it. So, it'd be crazy to lose something like that. A lot of influencers have gone viral from there and I think it'd be really hard right after for people to find a new source of income," says Kalka.

President-elect Donald Trump, who was previously in support of the ban, says his administration will take a look at the situation, after his campaign saw the platform as a way to reach younger, less politically engaged voters.