TikTok has made a return to the Apple and Google app stores in the United States after former President Donald Trump delayed the enforcement of a ban on the Chinese-owned social media platform until 5 April.
The app, which boasts over 170 million users in the US, was temporarily unavailable last month as the deadline for the ban approached. However, Trump subsequently signed an executive order granting TikTok a 75-day extension to comply with legislation that mandates its sale to a neutral party to avoid an outright ban.
According to Bloomberg, which first reported TikTok’s reinstatement in app stores, Apple and Google resumed allowing downloads of the platform after receiving assurances from the Trump administration that they would not face legal repercussions. The temporary lifting of the ban means that, for now, American users can continue accessing the app without disruption.
The origins of the ban
The ban was initially passed with bipartisan support in the US Congress and later signed into law by former President Joe Biden. The legislation required ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to divest its US operations due to national security concerns. The Biden administration maintained that the app could be leveraged by the Chinese government for surveillance and political manipulation.
Despite these allegations, both Beijing and TikTok have consistently denied any involvement in espionage or data misuse. China has also rejected the notion of a forced sale of TikTok’s US operations, arguing that such a move would be politically motivated and economically damaging.
The law, which faced legal challenges, was ultimately upheld by the US Supreme Court. However, its enforcement remains a point of contention in Washington.
Trump’s changing stance on TikTok
During his first term in office, Donald Trump was a vocal proponent of banning TikTok. However, his position appeared to soften last year during his re-election campaign. He expressed a degree of fondness for the platform, highlighting the substantial engagement his campaign videos received from TikTok users.
As the app resumed service in the US last month, a pop-up notification was sent to millions of users, explicitly thanking Trump for the decision to allow its continued operation. TikTok’s chief executive, Shou Chew, reportedly met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate following his election victory in November. Chew later attended Trump’s inauguration ceremony, further signalling a potential shift in the administration’s stance.
Trump has since suggested that a compromise with ByteDance could be reached, one that aligns with the “spirit” of the law rather than its strict interpretation. He floated the idea of TikTok being jointly owned, stating: “What I’m thinking of saying to someone is buy it and give half to the US, half, and we’ll give you a permit.”
Potential buyers for TikTok’s US operations
Several high-profile names have been linked with a possible acquisition of TikTok’s US business. Trump has mentioned that he would be open to selling the app to Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison or billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who also leads the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Other potential buyers include American billionaire Frank McCourt and Canadian businessman Kevin O’Leary, a well-known investor from the television programme Shark Tank (the US equivalent of Dragon’s Den). Adding to the intrigue, YouTube megastar Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, has claimed that he is in discussions with investors after expressing interest in acquiring TikTok.
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What comes next?
For now, TikTok’s future in the US remains uncertain. While the extension granted by Trump has temporarily delayed the app’s ban, ByteDance still faces significant pressure to sell the platform’s US operations in order to comply with American regulations. Meanwhile, discussions about potential buyers continue, with major tech players and media figures vying for a stake in one of the world’s most popular social media platforms.
The ongoing negotiations and legal battles will ultimately determine whether TikTok remains freely available to American users or undergoes a significant transformation under new ownership. With the 5 April deadline looming, all eyes will be on the US government and ByteDance to see whether a resolution can be reached before another potential ban takes effect.
