TikTok is back on the Apple and Google app stores in the United States as of Thursday (February 13). President Donald Trump delayed a ban on the popular Chinese-owned social media app, allowing it to continue operations temporarily. The app, owned by ByteDance, had been removed from the app stores last month due to a law requiring its sale on national security grounds.
President Trump's executive order postponed the enforcement of the ban by 75 days, ensuring that Apple and Google would not face fines for hosting TikTok. The app, which was the second-most downloaded in the U.S. last year, is now available for download again.
The law mandating ByteDance to sell TikTok's U.S. assets was signed by former President Joe Biden last April, amid concerns that China could use the app to spy on American users. This law gives the government the authority to ban or seek the sale of other Chinese-owned apps.
The delay in TikTok's removal from the app stores may have been due to Apple and Google awaiting assurances that they would not be prosecuted for distributing the app. President Trump mentioned that the 75-day deadline could be extended, and discussions about TikTok's purchase are ongoing, with several potential buyers expressing interest.