TikTok returned to the U.S. app shops of Apple and Google on Thursday as President Donald Trump delayed a ban on the Chinese language-owned social media app and guaranteed the tech giants they might not be fined for distributing or sustaining it.
The favored brief video app, utilized by almost half of all Individuals, went darkish briefly final month, earlier than a regulation took impact on January 19 that requires its Chinese language proprietor ByteDance both to promote it on nationwide safety grounds or face a ban.
The next day Trump signed an govt order in search of to delay the enforcement of the ban by 75 days, permitting TikTok to proceed its operations within the U.S. briefly.
Though TikTok resumed service after Trump’s assurances, Google and Apple saved the app faraway from their app shops within the U.S.
TikTok, the second-most downloaded app within the U.S. final yr, could possibly be downloaded from U.S. app shops by new customers on Thursday.
The delay might have been as a result of Google (GOOGL.O), opens new tab and Apple (AAPL.O), opens new tab had been awaiting assurances that they might not be prosecuted for internet hosting or distributing the app, in accordance with analysts.
Trump’s directive mentioned the businesses, which run cell software shops or digital marketplaces the place customers can browse, obtain and replace apps, wouldn’t face penalties for holding the TikTok app up and operating.
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TikTok had greater than 52 million downloads in 2024, in accordance with market intelligence agency Sensor Tower.
About 52% of its whole downloads had been from Apple App Retailer, whereas 48% had been from Google Play within the U.S. final yr, Sensor Tower mentioned.
The regulation that require ByteDance to promote TikTok’s U.S. belongings or finally face a ban was signed by former President Joe Biden in April, triggered by nationwide safety issues and fears that China might use the video-sharing app to spy on American customers.
The U.S. has by no means banned a serious social media platform and the regulation that handed final yr provides the Trump administration sweeping authority to ban or search the sale of different Chinese language-owned apps.
Trump mentioned on Thursday that his 75-day deadline on TikTok could possibly be prolonged, however mentioned he doesn’t suppose that will probably be crucial.
TikTok didn’t instantly reply to a Reuters request for remark.