TikTok Returns To US App Stores

Chinese owned social media platform TikTok will return to being available for download by US users, as Donald Trump takes time to consider its future in the US, where it has been facing a court-enforced blanket ban  due to concerns over national security. 

The popular app, which is used by more than 170 million American users, was subsequently withdrawn from the the US market.

TikTok's return comes after President Donald Trump postponed the enforcement ban of the social media platform until the 5th of April, signing an executive order granting TikTok a 75-day extension to comply with a law banning the app if it is not sold. 

According to Bloomberg, the decision to resume its availability came after Apple and Google received assurances from the Trump administration that they would not be held liable for allowing downloads, and the ban wouldn't be enforced for now. The ban, which passed with a bipartisan vote in Congress, was signed into law by former President Joe Biden. It ordered TikTok's Chinese owner ByteDance to sell the US version of the platform to a neutral party to avert an outright ban.

The Biden administration had argued that TikTok could be used by China as a tool for Spying and Political Manipulation China and TikTok have repeatedly denied those accusations. The Chinese government has previously rejected calls for a sale of TikTok's US operations.

Trump himself had supported banning the app during his first term in office but he appeared to have a change of heart last year during the presidential race.

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.The turmoil at TikTok attracted several potential buyers, including former Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team  owner Frank McCourt, who have expressed interest in the fast-growing business that analysts estimate could be worth as much as $50bn.

Despite the assurance given to Google and Apple, some legal experts say that a letter from the Trump administration promising to not prosecute can still mean they  are in violation of US law.

In comment, Georgetown University law professor Anupam Chander said "You now have some of the biggest corporations in the world accepting the word of the Trump Justice Department that this statute won't be weaponised against them...

"This could help them stay on the good side of the Trump administration and address the financial hit they're taking by not hosting TikTok on app stores."

Bloomberg   |    BBC   |    APNews   |   Reuters   |   Guardian   |   CNN   |    NPR  |  Indpendent 

Image: eyestix studio 

You Might Also Read: 

EU Threatens TikTok Lite With Suspension:


If you like this website and use the comprehensive 6,500-plus service supplier Directory, you can get unrestricted access, including the exclusive in-depth Directors Report series, by signing up for a Premium Subscription.

  • Individual £5 per month or £50 per year. Sign Up
  • Multi-User, Corporate & Library Accounts Available on Request

Cyber Security Intelligence: Captured Organised & Accessible


 



 

« Backdoor Access To Apple User Data Condemned
DeepSeek: Revolutionary AI, Or The “Sputnik” Of Big Tech? »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Check Point

Directory of Suppliers

CYRIN

CYRIN

CYRIN® Cyber Range. Real Tools, Real Attacks, Real Scenarios. See why leading educational institutions and companies in the U.S. have begun to adopt the CYRIN® system.

Jooble

Jooble

Jooble is a job search aggregator operating in 71 countries worldwide. We simplify the job search process by displaying active job ads from major job boards and career sites across the internet.

The PC Support Group

The PC Support Group

A partnership with The PC Support Group delivers improved productivity, reduced costs and protects your business through exceptional IT, telecoms and cybersecurity services.

Directory of Cyber Security Suppliers

Directory of Cyber Security Suppliers

Our Supplier Directory lists 8,000+ specialist cyber security service providers in 128 countries worldwide. IS YOUR ORGANISATION LISTED?

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

ANS Group

ANS Group

ANS are a strong team of straight-talking tech and business experts. Our mission is to make digital transformation accessible to all.

CERT-In

CERT-In

CERT-In is a functional organisation of the Ministry of Information & Electronics Technology, Government of India, with the objective of securing Indian cyber space.

APrivacy

APrivacy

APrivacy provides information and communication security products for the financial services industry.

Skurio

Skurio

Skurio create cost-effective, intuitive and powerful Cloud based solutions to identify threats, detect data breaches outside the network and automate the response.

Excellium Services

Excellium Services

Excellium’s Professional Services team combines expertise and experience that complements your in-house security resources.

Farsight Security

Farsight Security

Farsight Security provides the world’s largest real-time actionable threat intelligence on how the Internet is changing.

Invensity

Invensity

INVENSITY is an interdisciplinary technology and innovation consulting company. Centres of excellence include Cyber Security and Data Privacy.

National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium (NCPC) - USA

National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium (NCPC) - USA

The mission of the NCPC is to provide research-based, cybersecurity-related training, exercises and technical assistance to local jurisdictions, counties, states and the private sector.

Inspira Enterprise

Inspira Enterprise

Inspira Enterprise is a leading digital transformation company with expertise in Cyber Security, Internet of Things (IOT), Blockchain, Big Data & Analytics, Intelligent Automation and Cloud Computing.

Calyptix Security

Calyptix Security

Calyptix Security helps small and medium offices secure their networks so they can raise profits, protect investments, and control technology.

FortifyIQ

FortifyIQ

FortifyIQ's mission is to advance maximum security against side-channel attacks across the entire computing spectrum.

Trace3

Trace3

Trace3 is a pioneer in business transformation solutions, empowering organizations to keep pace with the rapid changes in IT innovations and maximize organizational health.

NXM Labs

NXM Labs

NXM is a leader in a leader in advanced cybersecurity software for connected devices.

GTT Communications

GTT Communications

GTT are a global network provider that serves thousands of multinational and national enterprise, government and carrier customers with a portfolio of advanced connectivity and security services.

Early Game Ventures (EGV)

Early Game Ventures (EGV)

Early Game Ventures invests in startups that jumpstart new industries in the emerging markets of Europe.

Mart Networks

Mart Networks

Mart Networks is one of Africa’s Pioneers when it comes to Value Added Technology Distribution.