TikTok has made its return to the app stores of Apple and Google in the US following President Donald Trump’s decision to postpone the ban on the Chinese-owned platform. The administration has provided assurances to the tech companies that they will not face penalties for distributing or maintaining the app.
The widely popular short video application, utilized by nearly half of the American population, experienced a temporary suspension last month due to impending legislation effective January 19. This law mandated that its parent company, ByteDance, must sell its US operations on national security grounds or face a prohibition.
The day after the law was set to take effect, President Trump signed an executive order to push back the enforcement of the ban by 75 days, allowing TikTok to maintain its presence in the US market for the time being.
While TikTok resumed functionality following the President’s assurances, Google and Apple initially kept the app unavailable in their US app stores.
As of Thursday, TikTok announced that its latest version is now accessible for download. The apparent delay in its return might have been due to Google and Apple awaiting confirmation regarding the absence of potential legal repercussions for hosting or distributing the application, according to industry experts.
In his directive, Trump specified that companies operating mobile application stores would not incur fines for allowing TikTok to continue functioning.
According to market analysis from Sensor Tower, TikTok saw over 52 million downloads in 2024, with approximately 52 percent originating from the Apple App Store and 48 percent from Google Play in the US last year.
The legislation requiring ByteDance to divest its US assets or ultimately face a ban was enacted last April under President Joe Biden’s administration, spurred by national security concerns that China might exploit the platform for surveillance on American users.
To date, the US has refrained from banning any major social media platform. The legislation passed last year grants the government extensive powers to prohibit or force the sale of other apps owned by Chinese companies.
On Thursday, Trump indicated that the 75-day extension for TikTok could potentially be lengthened.
The uncertainty surrounding TikTok has attracted interest from several potential buyers, including Frank McCourt, the former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are keen on acquiring the rapidly growing platform that analysts suggest could be valued at around $50 billion (approximately Rs. 4,34,130 crore).
Trump has mentioned engaging in discussions with various parties regarding the potential sale of TikTok and expects to reach a decision on the platform’s future by February.
© Thomson Reuters 2025
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
