TikTok has been reinstated on Apple and Google app stores nearly a month after being removed due to a U.S. security law, AFP journalists confirmed on Thursday.
The Chinese-owned video-sharing platform faced removal over national security concerns regarding its data collection practices and potential influence on U.S. public opinion. The app briefly disappeared from app stores on January 18, sparking frustration among millions of users.
Its return follows an order by U.S. President Donald Trump, who, upon beginning his second term, issued a 75-day pause on enforcing the ban. The law, originally signed by former President Joe Biden and overwhelmingly passed by Congress, had required TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its ownership or face an outright ban.
Despite Trump’s directive to delay enforcement, Apple and Google only restored TikTok to their platforms this week.
The legislation was introduced over concerns that the Chinese government could exploit TikTok for surveillance or to manipulate American public opinion. Under the law, companies that violate the ban face penalties of up to $5,000 per user if the app remains accessible.
Trump has floated the idea of a joint U.S.-ByteDance venture as a potential resolution, though he has yet to provide details on how this would be structured.
“Essentially, with TikTok, I have the right to either sell it or close it,” Trump stated. “We may have to get an approval from China too… but I’m sure they’ll approve it, or that would be a hostile act” that could lead to retaliatory tariffs, he added.
This is not the first time Trump has sought to ban TikTok in the U.S. over national security concerns. However, he recently stated that he now has a “warm spot” for the app, signaling a potential shift in his stance.
Originally launched as Douyin for the Chinese market in 2016, TikTok was introduced internationally in 2017 and has since grown into one of the world’s most popular social media platforms. Despite its widespread popularity, the app continues to face scrutiny from governments worldwide over privacy concerns and its ties to China.
AFP
