The prospects for TikTok's operations in the United States have taken a big hit today as a U.S. appeals court rejected a constitutional challenge to a statute requiring that the app be divested or banned by January of next year.

Last week, Canada ordered "the wind up of TikTok Technology Canada, Inc. following a national security review under the Investment Canada Act," closing the two TikTok offices in Canada. However, the app itself will remain available for download.

In a brief filed in U.S. court last week, TikTok, along with its parent company Bytedance, offered a detailed look at its legal arguments in its challenge to a U.S. statute that would requirement divestment of TikTok or ban it from the U.S. market.

TikTok, along with its parent company Bytedance, filed a petition for review of the constitutionality of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act – which would force TikTok's divestment or ban it – today in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Recent news reports in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom indicate that there is some pressure for a TikTok ban or forced sale along the lines of what is currently being considered in the United States, or for a similar measure, although there is no sign of imminent action.

At two press conferences today, Chinese government officials responded to the U.S. bill that would either force a divestment of TikTok or ban the app from the U.S. market, calling it unfair and vowing to take "all necessary measures."

As the push to either ban or force the divestment of social media platform TikTok is gaining momentum in the United States, the prospect of a divestment faces regulatory obstacles in China as well.