Key Takeaways:
- TikTok Returns – After being removed on January 19, 2025, TikTok is back on Google and Apple app stores following a letter from Attorney General Pam Bondi.
- Legal Controversy – Experts argue that despite Trump’s assurance, Apple and Google are still violating U.S. law by reinstating TikTok.
- Security Concerns – Lawmakers fear ByteDance’s ties to China could risk U.S. user data, making this decision highly controversial.
Good news is coming for the TikTok fans as TikTok is back on Google and Apple App Stores. The dispute (In the beginning of January 2025 ) between big tech companies and the TikTok platform is now going to end.
Now you can easily download the famous video sharing app, TikTok on your apple or android devices. Google and Apple also authorised TikTok to send software updates to existing TikTok users to debug the services.
Why TikTok Was Removed from App Stores
Many tech companies took TikTok off from the app stores on 19 January 2025 after the supreme court decision passed by Congress. According to this law Beijing based company, ByteDance was not able to support businesses with TikTok.
The news came live on Thursday when both Google and Apple got an official letter from Pam Bondi, an Attorney General. The letter says that the Trump administration won’t punish them for supporting TikTok. This information came from the trustable sources which were not authorised to speak publicly about it.
The assurance from Bondi that President Trump would not fine the companies was enough for Apple and Google to bring the app back.
Legal and Security Concerns Over TikTok’s Return
Something interesting is happening as US legal experts say, even if the Trump administration has promised no punishment upon supporting TikTok in a letter but Apple and Google are still in violation of the U.S. Law. While statements are coming from everywhere but Apple, Google and TikTok are yet to pass their statements.
Anupam Chander, Georgetown University law professor has passed their statement of this movement, saying “Now some of the biggest tech giants are relying on the Trump administration’s letter against punishing them if they host TikTok on their app stores. This movement will help them stay on the positive side with the Trump Administration and cover the financial loss that happened by not keeping TikTok on their App Stores.”
Lawmakers of Washington are afraid of Bytedance who is more on the side of China, and if it happens The American data can be shared with china. Therefore this decision of Apple and Google is risky.
According to the law passed by the supreme court, any business that hosts TikTok will receive a $5,000 per user penalty if they are still accessing the platform.
Then on the very first day of the Trump administration, Trump promised to protect the companies which were associated with TikTok. Because of this promise, the Department of Justice was instructed not to drag companies working with TikTok on the label of violating the TikTok ban.
On the other side, legal experts of the US are questioning this movement. They say, this letter from the Trump administration can not override the law passed by the respected supreme court. Apple and Google are still violating the law and are still punishable.
But there is a way as per the US Law, if the president can devide the TikTok and ByteDance company. Trump has stated that the conversation is still going as Trump wants a 50% stake in TikTok.
Even though things are softer and sometimes harder, there is relaxing news from TikTok users in the US as TikTok is back on Google and Apple App Stores now.
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