Restoration of TikTok on Apple and Google App Stores
Apple and Google have reinstated TikTok on their respective app stores in the U.S., marking the end of a temporary removal that was initiated due to a national security law banning the platform in the country.
Reinstatement of ByteDance Apps
In addition to TikTok, Apple and Google have also restored other apps owned by TikTok’s parent company ByteDance, including the video editor CapCut and social media app Lemon8.
Background of the National Security Law
Former U.S. President Joe Biden passed a law calling on ByteDance to sell TikTok to a non-Chinese entity by January 19. This law aimed to address concerns about national security threats posed by the company’s ties to Beijing, with penalties for non-compliance upheld by the Supreme Court on January 17.
However, upon assuming office, current U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 20 to delay the law, granting ByteDance a 75-day extension to find a buyer.
Confusion and Delay in Reinstatement
Despite TikTok’s prompt restoration of services, Apple and Google delayed reinstating the app due to uncertainties surrounding the law’s penalties, which had only been deferred at the time.
Users who had uninstalled TikTok in the U.S. were unable to reinstall it, while those who retained the app could continue using it. TikTok advised Android users to sideload the app as a workaround.
Proposed U.S. Ownership and Deal Making
President Trump expressed interest in the U.S. owning a 50% share in TikTok through a joint venture with other tech companies. He also established a sovereign fund to facilitate TikTok’s dealmaking activities.
Post-Restoration Developments
Recent reports indicate that TikTok’s traffic has nearly recovered to pre-ban levels, with rival social networks introducing new features to capitalize on the situation. Competitors like X and Bluesky have launched dedicated vertical video feeds, while Meta announced a video editing app to rival Capcut.
According to data from Sensor Tower, TikTok was the second most-downloaded app in the U.S. last year, with 52 million downloads.
FAQs
Q: Why was TikTok removed from Apple and Google app stores?
A: TikTok was temporarily removed due to a national security law that banned the platform in the U.S.
Q: What other apps owned by ByteDance were affected by the removal?
A: In addition to TikTok, apps like CapCut and Lemon8 were also removed but later reinstated.
Credit: techcrunch.com
