TikTok Makes a Comeback to the App Store
Apple Restores TikTok's Availability on American App Store
TikTok rejoined the App Store on a Thursday evening, marking its return to the platform following a brief ban that lasted less than a day earlier in the month.
Crucial Points
- TikTok's presence was visible on both the App Store and Google Play Store by Thursday evening.
- Apple's decision to restore TikTok followed a letter from the Justice Department, according to Bloomberg.
The Chinese-owned ByteDance's popular app was temporarily removed from app stores when a federal ban went into effect last month. This led to hours of darkness for the app, preventing app stores and internet service providers from hosting TikTok.
- President Trump enacted an executive order to put a halt on the ban, allowing TikTok's continued operation on devices previously downloaded by users. However, it didn't bring the app back to the App Store or the Google Play Store for new downloads.
At 8 p.m. EST, TikTok wasn't accessible through the App Store.
Apple declined to comment on Our Website's request for information.
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What's Still Unclear
Although the contents of the Justice Department's letter are not explicitly known, it reportedly reassured Apple that enforcement of the ban wouldn't be initiated right away, Bloomberg reported.
Background Information
- Trump, a TikTok advocate after noticing its impact on his young voter base, ordered a 75-day reprieve to examine the best course of action concerning TikTok. The law prohibited ByteDance from running the app in America, driving the need for its sale to an American firm or facing a ban.
- Trump threatened China with potential tariffs if they interfered. He suggested that TikTok should be owned by a U.S. joint venture with at least 50% control by American interests. The bipartisan ban was prompted by concerns about data privacy and national security. U.S. officials alleged that TikTok could be used by the Chinese Communist Party for spying on Americans or influencing public conversations. TikTok refuted these claims, stating that it does not cooperate with the Chinese government.
Further Reading
- TikTok's Ban: 75-Day Reprieve Announced by Trump
- Potential Buyers for TikTok—Where the Bidding War May Land
[1]: Executive Order on Addressing the Threat Posed by TikTok[2]: Federal laws seek to ban TikTok over security concerns[5]: Justice Department Letter to Apple
- Despite the temporary ban, TikTok users were unable to download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- President Trump's executive order allowed TikTok to continue operating on devices that had previously been downloaded, but it didn't restore the app to the App Store.
- Apple's decision to restore TikTok to the App Store was reportedly influenced by a letter from the Justice Department, reassuring Apple that enforcement of the ban would be delayed.
- With the return of TikTok to the App Store, tech giants like Apple and social media platforms like TikTok are in the spotlight once again, particularly due to the ongoing debate about data privacy and national security.
- The news of TikTok's comeback to the App Store sparked excitement among its users, many of whom turned to Apple devices for downloading the app.
- The ban on TikTok and the subsequent developments have brought to light the complex relationship between tech companies, social media platforms, and government regulation, highlighting the potential impact of executive orders and tariffs on global tech businesses.
