Image credit: Solen Feyissa

TikTok is back in both the Apple and Google US app stores and Trump says he may postpone the ban further, so what will happen?

Four years ago, TikTok faced its first major threat of a ban in the United States under the Trump administration. Executive orders were issued, citing national security concerns related to the app’s Chinese ownership by ByteDance. These orders were ultimately challenged in court and later rescinded by President Biden.

However, the story doesn’t end there. The issue of TikTok’s presence in the US has become a complex interplay of politics, national security concerns, and commercial interests, with the situation evolving rapidly.

Earlier this year, TikTok was under pressure to sell its US-based video platform to a U.S. company before January 19th under outgoing President Biden’s administration. The executive order’s deadline has now been extended by President Trump on his second entry into office.

Trump has given TikTok another 75 days to come to a conclusion. Trump has indicated that he might extend the postponement further, adding that he doesn’t think it will be needed. Trump is confident that TikTok’s Chinese owner ByteDance will arrange a sale before the 75 days are up on the 5th April.

However, there is doubt as to whether ByteDance would agree to sell their U.S. oeprations to a U.S. based company. The company insists they won’t sell TikTok, and even if they did would need approval from the Chinese government which is unlikely. Regardless, Trump has said: “I’m going to make it worthwhile for China to do – I think it would be to China’s advantage to have the deal be made.”

The Supreme Court order comes under a stated threat to national security from the data gathered by the app and accessible by the Chinese government. However, ByteDance deny that there are data security issues with their app.

TikTok returns to the App Store and Google Play store

For the time being, users can access the TikTok app in the U.S. from both the Apple and Google app stores once more. The app stores reportedly received assurances from the Trump administration that there will be no penalty for hosting the app during the postponement.

What’s next for TikTok?

We’ve compiled a list of the most likely U.S. buyers in a TikTok sale. However, there’s currently no news from ByteDance over a sale meaning that the app is currently simply in a limbo in which users can access it with a deadline date.

Who is going to buy TikTok in the U.S.? A list

It may be that the deadline is postponed once more. Trump may even renege on the order completely and allow TikTok to continue its U.S. operations – after all, that’s what happened a few years ago.

The future of TikTok in the US remains uncertain. Several potential scenarios exist:

  • Project Texas Implementation: This is a likely outcome in which TikTok continues to operate in the U.S., but with their data managed by Oracle. Oracle is already involved in managing and securing TikTok user data in the U.S..
  • Continued Scrutiny: The US government could continue to monitor TikTok’s operations and demand further concessions.
  • Forced Sale: Although less likely now, the possibility of a forced sale to a US company still exists.
  • Outright Ban: While unlikely given the legal challenges, a complete ban remains a possibility, particularly if relations with China deteriorate significantly.

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