President Donald Trump signed an executive order temporarily pausing the federal ban on TikTok, with companies like Oracle restoring access, but Apple and Google have yet to restore TikTok to their app stores, risking legal liability. TikTok was back online following a federal law banning ByteDance-owned apps, but ByteDance has not divested. Apple and Google’s app stores still lack TikTok, limiting U.S. user downloads and updates. Legal experts predicted companies may face liability if the ban is enforced.
Users may soon lose access if TikTok can’t be updated, as Apple and Google delay restoring the app. ByteDance-owned apps removed from the App Store include TikTok and others. Companies could face legal consequences for reinstating TikTok pre-ban. Potential fines for enabling TikTok access could be significant. ByteDance’s willingness to sell TikTok’s U.S. assets remains uncertain amid threats of tariffs.
Key Background:
The federal ban on TikTok was upheld by the Supreme Court due to national security concerns. TikTok has denied Chinese government ties but faced scrutiny for alleged data tracking. Trump’s support for TikTok marks a policy reversal.
For more details, check out Forbes articles like “TikTok Ban Live Updates: Trump Halts Ban For 75 Days—After CEO Attends Inauguration” by Antonio Pequeño IV.