Apple has announced that it will restore TikTok to the US App Store following a directive from US Attorney General Pam Bondi.
This comes after a period of uncertainty for the popular short video app, which was removed from the app store on January 19 due to non-compliance with a law.
However, the situation changed when President Trump signed an executive order on January 20, offering a 75-day extension that temporarily allowed TikTok to resume its operations in the US.
Apple and Google had initially refrained from restoring the app, concerned about potential penalties from the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The apps had been banned after failing to meet requirements set by a recently passed law.
According to reports, Apple received a letter from Attorney General Pam Bondi, which provided the legal clarity needed for the company to reinstate TikTok, AppleInsider said.
Following this, TikTok resumed its operations without the threat of fines or penalties.
Other ByteDance-controlled apps, including CapCut, Lemon8, and TikTok Studio, which were also banned, have been reinstated as well.
Oracle, which hosts TikTok's US services, enabled the app's resumption on January 20, but it wasn't until Bondi's letter that companies like Apple and Google felt secure in restoring the app without the risk of fines from the DOJ.
Apple bringing back TikTok right before I sell my phone. 📱😫 pic.twitter.com/4urNIHYRAp
— Complex (@Complex) February 14, 2025
TikTok's Future in the US Uncertain Despite Temporary Reinstatement on App Store
Despite this, TikTok's legal issues are far from over. While the executive order extends TikTok's operations until April 5, 2025, it is not a permanent solution.
The app must still find a US-based buyer to continue operating in the country, or Congress will need to overturn the law for TikTok to remain available long-term.
If these conditions are not met, the app could face a full ban in April, leaving users to seek alternatives.
Other competitors in the social media space, such as Meta with Instagram Reels and Threads, are hoping to capitalize on the uncertainty surrounding TikTok.
Additionally, newer platforms using the BlueSky AT Protocol or Federation are also vying to replace TikTok's dominance.
While President Trump's executive order has temporarily delayed the app's ban, the future of TikTok in the US remains uncertain.
According to USNews, TikTok's 170 million American users can breathe a sigh of relief, as the app is back on the App Store, continuing to provide entertainment and social media content for millions of people.
However, with only a limited extension granted, it remains to be seen what steps TikTok will take to secure its place in the US market.
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