TikTok has made a comeback in the US after a short hiatus, following reassurances from President Donald Trump regarding enforcement of a ban initially slated for last month.
TikTok Reemerges on US App Stores Following Presidential Assurance
TikTok Reemerges on US App Stores Following Presidential Assurance
Amidst a potential ban, TikTok finds refuge in US app stores thanks to a last-minute extension from Trump.
TikTok is back in action on the Apple and Google app stores in the United States, following President Trump's unexpected decision to postpone the enforcement of a ban on the Chinese-owned platform until April 5. This move comes after TikTok, which boasts over 170 million American users, faced a temporary blackout as the ban's deadline loomed. Trump's executive order granted TikTok a crucial 75-day window to comply with laws stipulating that the app would be banned if it was not sold. TikTok did not provide immediate comments to news outlets following this development.
According to Bloomberg, the resumption of TikTok's availability was contingent upon reassurances given by the Trump administration to Apple and Google. These assurances stipulated that the tech giants would not face liability for permitting downloads, effectively delaying the ban previously legislated with bipartisan support and signed into law by former President Joe Biden. The law mandates ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, to divest its US operations to ensure national security, as concerns linger regarding the app's potential use for espionage or political interference by China—accusations that both TikTok and China have categorically denied.
The law’s bipartisan support indicated widespread concern among US lawmakers, further solidified by a Supreme Court ruling. Interestingly, while Trump has articulated support for banning the app in the past, he expressed a burgeoning fondness for TikTok during his campaign, highlighting its popularity and his own engagement on the app by thanking Trump in a notification sent to users upon the app's reinstatement.
During a meeting at his Mar-a-Lago resort post-election, TikTok CEO Shou Chew and Trump discussed potential compromises, including a unique proposal where TikTok could be jointly owned. Trump mentioned the possibility of selling the app to notable figures like Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison or billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. Previous names floated as potential buyers comprised notable individuals like investor Kevin O'Leary and media personality Frank McCourt. Recently, the famous YouTuber MrBeast also expressed interest in pursuing ownership after being approached by investors.
With rising user engagement, the potential for unofficial downloads surged, leaving the future of TikTok in the US shrouded in uncertainty and speculation as we await further developments on this digital landscape.
According to Bloomberg, the resumption of TikTok's availability was contingent upon reassurances given by the Trump administration to Apple and Google. These assurances stipulated that the tech giants would not face liability for permitting downloads, effectively delaying the ban previously legislated with bipartisan support and signed into law by former President Joe Biden. The law mandates ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, to divest its US operations to ensure national security, as concerns linger regarding the app's potential use for espionage or political interference by China—accusations that both TikTok and China have categorically denied.
The law’s bipartisan support indicated widespread concern among US lawmakers, further solidified by a Supreme Court ruling. Interestingly, while Trump has articulated support for banning the app in the past, he expressed a burgeoning fondness for TikTok during his campaign, highlighting its popularity and his own engagement on the app by thanking Trump in a notification sent to users upon the app's reinstatement.
During a meeting at his Mar-a-Lago resort post-election, TikTok CEO Shou Chew and Trump discussed potential compromises, including a unique proposal where TikTok could be jointly owned. Trump mentioned the possibility of selling the app to notable figures like Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison or billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. Previous names floated as potential buyers comprised notable individuals like investor Kevin O'Leary and media personality Frank McCourt. Recently, the famous YouTuber MrBeast also expressed interest in pursuing ownership after being approached by investors.
With rising user engagement, the potential for unofficial downloads surged, leaving the future of TikTok in the US shrouded in uncertainty and speculation as we await further developments on this digital landscape.
