The way forward for TikTok stays unsure, however with the app nonetheless energetic—and now again on the App Store—following its January 19 ban deadline, it appears to be doing higher than anticipated.
The firm had been beneath strain to safe a purchaser earlier than the January 19 deadline to adjust to a regulation signed by Joe Biden in April 2024. However, this deadline was postponed after an government order from President Donald Trump on January 20.
Find out extra under.
How Long Does Trump’s Extension on the TikTok Ban Last?
President Trump’s government order on January 20 granted a 75-day extension, set to finish on April 5. However, on Thursday, Trump steered that the interval may be prolonged additional.
“I have 90 days from about two weeks ago, and I’m sure it can be extended, but let’s see,” he stated, seemingly misstating the timeline in his government order. “We have a lot of people interested in TikTok.”
Has TikTok Been Bought by a New Company?
TikTok has but to be bought by one other firm.
Since President Trump’s extension, a number of prospects have emerged. According to NPR final month, Oracle, Microsoft, and different American buyers are getting ready a bid to accumulate TikTok’s U.S. operations, with steerage from prime White House officers. Additionally, in early February, President Trump talked about that with the creation of the sovereign wealth fund, he was “going to be doing something perhaps with TikTok,” additional hinting at the opportunity of the U.S. authorities enjoying a job within the sale of the social media app.
Who Owns TikTok?
As of February 2025, TikTok continues to be owned by ByteDance, a Beijing-based tech firm.
How Is TikTok Back in App Stores?
TikTok is accessible for obtain as soon as once more from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, marking the primary time for the reason that platform went darkish on January 18.
On Thursday, Apple and Google acquired a letter from Attorney General Pam Bondi informing the businesses that the Trump administration wouldn’t prosecute them for supporting TikTok, in accordance with sources reported by NPR. However, beneath the regulation that will ban the app, firms doing enterprise with TikTok would face fines of $5,000 per U.S. consumer who can nonetheless entry the app. The app claims round 170 million U.S. customers, so the penalties might add as much as a whole bunch of billions of {dollars}.