TikTok has returned to Apple and Google’s app shops in the US after US President Donald Trump delayed a ban on the popular Chinese social network and assured technology companies that they would not face fines for its distribution.
The TikTok app, which is used by nearly half of Americans, was inaccessible for a short time last month before the law went into effect on January 19. That law requires Chinese company ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US assets for national security reasons, or else the app would face a full ban.
The day after, Trump signed an executive order that delayed the ban’s enforcement for 75 days, allowing TikTok to temporarily continue operating in the US. Despite this, Google and Apple did not immediately reinstate the app to their US shops, perhaps waiting for official assurances of protection from potential legal repercussions.
On February 13, TikTok announced that an updated version of the app was once again available for download. According to analytics firm Sensor Tower, TikTok has been downloaded more than 52 million times in 2024, with 52% of downloads coming from the App Store and 48% from Google Play. The law, which requires ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US assets or face a ban, was signed into law last April by then US President Joe Biden. The decision came amid concerns that Chinese authorities could use the app to spy on US users.
The US has never previously banned a major social media platform, but the law passed gives the government broad powers to block or force the sale of other apps owned by Chinese companies. Trump has said the deadline could be extended if necessary.
On January 17, the US Supreme Court upheld a law banning TikTok in the country on national security grounds. The justices unanimously (9-0) refused to overturn the ban on the social media platform, which is used by about half of all Americans. The judges assessed that the law does not violate the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which protects free speech from government interference.
Meanwhile, several potential investors, including former Los Angeles Dodgers baseball owner Frank McCourt, have shown interest in buying TikTok. According to the president, talks with interested parties are ongoing and a final decision on TikTok’s future could be made as early as February.
