TikTok returns to US app stores after Trump’s assurance

Friday 14 February 2025 - 14:04

TikTok has made a return to major app stores in the United States, following an assurance from President Trump that tech giants Apple and Google would not face fines for re-listing the app. This development comes after TikTok was removed from the stores in January due to a new law mandating its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to either sell the app or face a potential ban. Concerns about national security, including the possibility of TikTok being used by Beijing to spy on American users, led to the app being briefly inaccessible.

However, the app was reinstated after President Trump announced he would sign an executive order to delay the ban, granting a 75-day window. Although both Apple and Google initially kept the app off their stores, the president reassured them that there would be no penalties if TikTok was offered for download again. He also mentioned the possibility of extending the deadline, though he believes it may not be necessary.

As TikTok seeks to secure its future in North America, it will need to convince US officials that it does not pose a national security risk. One potential solution could involve finding a US-based company to take ownership of TikTok's American operations. Speculation suggests that the app could be valued at approximately $100 billion if sold along with its algorithm.

TikTok has previously stated its commitment to working with President Trump to find a long-term solution that would allow it to continue operating in the United States.

In the UK, however, TikTok remains banned from government-issued phones despite the launch of an official UK Gov account, which has been used to share public service messages.

In 2024, TikTok saw over 52 million downloads, split nearly evenly between Apple and Google platforms.