TikTok returned to the U.S. app stores of Apple and Google on Thursday as President Donald Trump delayed a ban on the Chinese-owned social media app and assured the tech giants they would not be fined for distributing or maintaining it.
The popular short video app used by nearly half of all Americans went dark briefly last month, before a law took effect on January 19 that requires its Chinese owner ByteDance either to sell it on national security grounds or face a ban.
The following day, Trump signed an executive order seeking to delay the enforcement of the ban by 75 days, allowing TikTok to continue its operations in the U.S. temporarily.
Although TikTok resumed service after Trump's assurances, Google, opens new tab and Apple, opens new tab kept the app removed from their U.S. app stores.
TikTok, the second-most downloaded app in the U.S. last year, said on Thursday that its latest app was now available for download.
The delay could have been because Google and Apple were awaiting assurances that they would not be prosecuted for hosting or distributing the app, according to analysts.
Trump's directive said the companies, which run mobile application stores or digital marketplaces where users can browse, download and update apps, would not face penalties for keeping the TikTok app up and running.
TikTok had more than 52 million downloads in 2024, according to market intelligence firm Sensor Tower.
About 52% of its total downloads were from Apple App Store, while 48% were from Google Play in the U.S. last year, Sensor Tower said.
The law that requires ByteDance to sell TikTok's U.S. assets or ultimately face a ban was signed by then President Joe Biden last April, triggered by national security concerns and fears that China could use the video-sharing app to spy on American users.
The U.S. has never banned a major social media platform and the law that passed last year gives the government sweeping authority to ban or seek the sale of other Chinese-owned apps.
Trump said on Thursday that his 75-day deadline on TikTok could be extended.
The turmoil at TikTok attracted several potential buyers, including former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, who have expressed interest in the fast-growing business that analysts estimate could be worth as much as $50 billion.
Trump has said that he was in talks with multiple people over TikTok's purchase and would likely have a decision on the app's future in February.
North Korea will unveil a new policy linking nuclear and conventional military development at its upcoming ruling party congress, Kim Jong Un announce...
The United Nations General Assembly on Friday overwhelmingly endorsed a declaration calling for “tangible, timebound, and irreversible steps” towa...
Japan has reached a record 99,763 centenarians as of September 1, with women accounting for roughly 88 percent, marking the 55th consecutive year the ...
President Donald Trump announced Friday that National Guard troops will be deployed to Memphis, Tennessee, as part of his ongoing effort to curb crime...
Microsoft and OpenAI announced Thursday a non-binding deal outlining terms that would allow OpenAI to restructure into a for-profit company, marking a...
President Donald Trump said he has American buyers ready for TikTok and could extend ByteDance’s divestment deadline, emphasizing he has no privacy or security concerns.
The White House debuted on TikTok on 20 August with a pro-Trump video, entering the platform even as its future in the U.S. remains uncertain under a looming 17 September deadline.
TikTok is building a new version of its app for U.S. users ahead of a planned sale to American investors, The Information reported, as President Donald Trump prepares fresh talks with China over the platform’s future.
U.S. President Donald Trump says a group of “very wealthy people” is ready to buy TikTok, but the deal will require China’s sign-off—despite looming deadlines under U.S. law.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
North Korea will unveil a new policy linking nuclear and conventional military development at its upcoming ruling party congress, Kim Jong Un announced.
The United Nations General Assembly on Friday overwhelmingly endorsed a declaration calling for “tangible, timebound, and irreversible steps” toward a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.
President Donald Trump announced Friday that National Guard troops will be deployed to Memphis, Tennessee, as part of his ongoing effort to curb crime in Democrat-led cities, saying the city’s mayor and the state governor support the move.
The United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt called Friday for a three-month humanitarian truce in Sudan, followed by a permanent ceasefire and a transitional process toward civilian-led governance.
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a man Friday in Franklin Park, Illinois, after the suspect drove his car at law enforcement and dragged an officer, federal authorities said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment