TikTok returns to Apple, Google app stores after temporary removal
TikTok restores service in U.S. after brief shutdown
TikTok said Sunday it will be back online for users in the U.S. after going dark Saturday night. Sarah Kreps, the Director of the Cornell Brooks School Tech Policy Institute, joins LiveNOW's Andy Mac to discuss.
LOS ANGELES - The popular short-video app TikTok is once again available for download on Apple and Google’s app stores, nearly a month after it was removed over national security concerns.
The Chinese-owned platform disappeared from the stores on Jan. 18 after its parent company, ByteDance, temporarily halted service in the U.S. to protest a law requiring divestment of its American operations.
The move sparked legal battles and uncertainty for TikTok’s estimated 170 million U.S. users.
FILE - In this photo illustration, a TikTok logo is displayed on an iPhone on February 28, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
However, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on his first day back in office, delaying enforcement of the law for 75 days—allowing the app to return while negotiations over its future continue.
Why TikTok was removed
The backstory:
TikTok’s removal stemmed from the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which was signed into law by former President Joe Biden in April. The legislation mandated that ByteDance divest TikTok’s U.S. operations by Jan. 19 or face an outright ban.
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The U.S. government argued that ByteDance’s alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party posed a national security risk, citing concerns about data privacy and potential foreign influence. The Supreme Court upheld the law in January, ruling that "Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns."
TikTok, however, fought back, calling the law unconstitutional and a violation of First Amendment rights. The company warned that if forced to divest, it would shut down its U.S. operations entirely rather than comply.
How TikTok was reinstated
What's next:
TikTok’s return came after Trump extended the deadline for compliance to April 5, allowing the app to remain operational while further negotiations take place.
TikTok begins restoring after Trump comments
TikTok posted a statement on X saying, "In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive. It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States." This came after President-elect Donald Trump said he would issue and executive order to restore TikTok.
Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that he wanted the U.S. to have a 50% ownership stake in a joint venture that would keep TikTok "in good hands."
It remains unclear whether ByteDance will ultimately divest or strike a deal with a U.S.-based company to avoid further legal action.
The Source: This article is based on reporting from The Associated Press and statements from TikTok, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Biden and Trump administrations.