TikTok Returns to U.S. App Stores After Trump Delays Ban

Washington, D.C.: Social media giant TikTok has made a comeback on Apple and Google app stores in the United States after being removed due to national security concerns. The platform’s return follows a temporary suspension of the enforcement of a law that had ordered its removal, marking a significant turn in the ongoing debate over data privacy and foreign ownership of tech companies.

Trump’s Intervention Delays Ban

The short-form video platform, owned by China-based ByteDance, was removed from app stores in January 2025 following a law passed under former President Joe Biden. The law, citing concerns over data security and foreign influence, required TikTok to either sever ties with its parent company or face an outright ban in the U.S.

However, after assuming office in January for his second term, President Donald Trump ordered a 75-day pause on the enforcement of the ban, effectively delaying TikTok’s removal. Despite the pause, it took Apple and Google nearly a month to restore the app to their platforms, leaving millions of users unable to download or update the app.

The National Security Debate

TikTok has long faced scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers, who argue that the Chinese government could access user data and potentially manipulate content to influence American public opinion. These concerns led to bipartisan support for legislative action, with the initial ban signed into law with overwhelming backing in Congress.

The law mandates that TikTok must divest from ByteDance or face financial penalties of up to $5,000 per user if accessed in violation of the regulations.

While Trump had attempted to ban TikTok during his first term, he has since suggested a potential joint venture between U.S. investors and ByteDance as a compromise solution.

“Essentially, with TikTok, I have the right to either sell it or close it,” Trump remarked after issuing the temporary ban suspension. He added that he expected China’s approval for any divestment deal, warning that refusal could result in economic retaliation, including new tariffs.

TikTok’s Global Scrutiny

Originally launched as Douyin for the Chinese market in 2016, the international version of the app was introduced as TikTok in 2017. The platform has since grown into one of the most popular social media apps worldwide, attracting billions of users but also facing regulatory challenges in multiple countries.

Several nations, including India and Canada, have taken strict measures against TikTok, citing similar concerns over data privacy and national security. European regulators have also imposed fines and restrictions, demanding greater transparency from ByteDance regarding how user information is collected and stored.

For now, TikTok users in the U.S. can once again download and update the app, but the platform’s long-term future remains uncertain. With the 75-day suspension period still in effect, the debate over social media regulation, data security, and foreign influence is far from over.