TikTok Returns to US App Stores as Trump Delays Ban
- Publish date: Saturday، 15 February 2025
The Chinese-owned app is back on Apple and Google stores after a brief removal.
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TikTok has officially returned to Apple and Google app stores in the US after President Donald Trump postponed a ban on the Chinese-owned platform.
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The decision also ensured that tech giants would not face penalties for distributing or maintaining the app.
The popular social media platform, used by nearly half of all Americans, was briefly removed from app stores last month ahead of a January 19 deadline that required its parent company, ByteDance, to either sell its US assets or face a ban over national security concerns.
However, the following day, Trump signed an executive order delaying the enforcement of the ban by 75 days, allowing TikTok to continue operating in the US temporarily. Despite this, Google and Apple had not immediately reinstated the app, likely awaiting further legal assurances.
Now, with Trump’s directive confirming that hosting or distributing TikTok would not result in penalties, the app is once again available for download.
According to Sensor Tower, TikTok was the second-most downloaded app in the US in 2024, amassing over 52 million downloads—52% from Apple’s App Store and 48% from Google Play.
The US government’s push for ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US assets was initially signed into law by then-President Joe Biden in April 2024, citing concerns that the app could be used for surveillance by China. The ruling marked a historic shift, as the US had never before attempted to ban a major social media platform.
With the extended deadline in place, potential buyers—including former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt—have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s US operations, which analysts estimate could be worth up to $50 billion.
Trump hinted that the 75-day deadline could be extended further, stating that discussions about TikTok’s future are ongoing and a final decision may come in February.
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This article was previously published on UAE Moments. To see the original article, click here