TikTok has made a return to Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store in the United States following a delay in the enforcement of a ban by President Donald Trump.
The Chinese-owned social media platform, operated by ByteDance, was removed from both app stores on 18 January in compliance with legislation requiring ByteDance to either divest TikTok or face a ban in the US.
With over 170 million American users, TikTok briefly suspended its services in the country for a day. However, it swiftly reinstated operations after receiving assurances from President Trump that he would postpone the enforcement of the ban. During this brief suspension, thousands of users migrated to RedNote, a Chinese social media app, dubbing themselves “TikTok refugees.”
After nearly a month of absence, TikTok became available for download once again in the US on both Apple and Google platforms. On his first day back in office, President Trump signed an executive order extending the enforcement deadline of the TikTok ban to 5 April.
The app has long been at the centre of controversy in the US, with government officials raising concerns over national security due to its Chinese ownership and its access to the personal data of millions of Americans.
TikTok has consistently denied allegations that it shares user data with the Chinese government and has argued that the law forcing its divestment or ban infringes upon the First Amendment rights of American users.
During Trump’s previous term, he initially supported banning TikTok but later softened his stance, stating that he had a “warm spot” for the platform. Notably, TikTok CEO Shou Chew was among the attendees at Trump’s inauguration ceremony.
Trump has since proposed a compromise in which TikTok could be jointly owned, with half of its shares controlled by American entities. Among the potential buyers expressing interest are real estate magnate Frank McCourt, investor Kevin O’Leary of Shark Tank fame, and popular YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, widely known as Mr Beast.
