Apple and Google have returned TikTok to mobile app stores in the U.S., ending a month-long standoff since a law banning the app took effect in January. The move follows the app being downloaded on mobile devices, allowing TikTok to send millions of Americans software updates to debug and provide security fixes. The tech giant yanked TikTok from app stores on January 19, when a law passed by Congress and upheld by the Supreme Court took effect.
Businesses cannot support TikTok unless controlled by a Beijing-based tech company. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the Trump administration wouldn’t prosecute for supporting the app. This assurance allowed Apple and Google to return the app, as President Trump would not fine the companies. Legal experts argue that the Trump administration’s later statement that no prosecution would still constitute a violation of U.S. law against Apple and Google.
“You now have the biggest corporations in the world accepting the word of the Trump Justice Department that this statute won’t be weaponized against them,” said Anupam Chander, a law professor at Georgetown University. “This could help them stay on the good side of the Trump administration and address the financial hit they’re not taking by not hosting TikTok on app stores.”
Apple, Google, and TikTok representatives have declined to comment on the potential voluntary access of Americans’ data and political views to the Chinese government over ByteDance.
Apple and Google’s decision to ban TikTok has raised concerns about legal consequences. Under the law, companies can face fines of $5,000 per user who still accesses the app, potentially amounting to hundreds of billions of dollars. Trump’s executive order aims to protect companies working with TikTok, instructing the Department of Justice not to hold any companies liable for violating the ban.
Legal experts argue that a president cannot override Congress’s order, and doing business with TikTok is still punishable with fines. The penalty had a five-year statute of limitation. The law allows the president to undo the ban if Congress shows a deal to serve TikTok from ByteDance, bringing it into compliance with the law. President Trump is negotiating for a 50% stake in the video app.
Oracle, Microsoft, and other American investors are reportedly preparing to buy TikTok’s US operations under the guidance of top White House officials. The deal could allow ByteDance to retain a minority stake in the video service. Other bidders, including content creator Mr. Beast and former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, have also expressed interest in the duel.
Tech companies like Oracle, Amazon Web Services, and Akamai promptly restored service to TikTok after the app shut down. On day one of his presidency, Trump promised an executive order to protect them from liability. This symbolic gesture signified that Trump’s intention to rescue the app from a federal ban was enough for the firms to restore the backbone of TikTok’s web support.
Despite being removed from two app stores for nearly two months, TikTok recovered 90% of its traffic before the January 19 deadline.
