Washington DC: TikTok is once again available for download on US Apple and Google app stores after President Donald Trump postponed the enforcement of a ban on the Chinese-owned social media platform until April 5.
The app, used by over 170 million Americans, briefly went dark last month as the ban deadline neared. Trump later signed an executive order granting TikTok a 75-day extension to comply with a law requiring its sale to a neutral party to avoid an outright ban.
Apple and Google resumed allowing downloads after receiving assurances from the Trump administration that they would not be held liable, as the ban would not yet be enforced.
The law banning TikTok was signed by former President Joe Biden and passed with bipartisan support in Congress. It mandates that ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese owner, sell its US operations.
The Biden administration had cited national security concerns, alleging that China could exploit TikTok for surveillance and political influence. Both TikTok and Beijing have repeatedly denied these claims, and China has opposed any forced sale of the platform’s US assets.
While Trump had previously supported banning TikTok during his first term, he appeared to shift his stance last year, expressing a “warm spot” for the app and noting the billions of views his campaign videos attracted on the platform.
When TikTok resumed service last month, users received a pop-up message thanking Trump by name. TikTok CEO Shou Chew also met with Trump in Mar-a-Lago after his electoral victory and later attended his inauguration.
Trump has suggested finding a compromise with ByteDance that aligns with the spirit of the law rather than its strict requirements. He proposed that a potential buyer could “buy it and give half to the US,” in exchange for government approval.
Among the names floated as potential buyers are Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, billionaire Elon Musk—who leads the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency—billionaire Frank McCourt, and Canadian businessman Kevin O’Leary, a celebrity investor from Shark Tank.
YouTube’s biggest star, Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast), also expressed interest in acquiring TikTok. He claimed that multiple investors reached out to him after he posted about his willingness to purchase the app.
As the new April 5 deadline approaches, TikTok’s future in the US remains uncertain, with discussions ongoing about potential buyers and regulatory concerns.
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