More than ten days after TikTok operations were reinstated in the U.S., the popular social media app remains absent from app stores. While users who previously downloaded the app can continue using it, new downloads and updates are still restricted.
TikTok went offline for U.S. users for approximately 12 hours before becoming accessible again on January 19. This event has been linked to President Donald Trump’s executive order, issued on his first day back in office, extending the TikTok ban initially enacted by former President Joe Biden. The order granted a 75-day extension to allow the administration time to assess national security concerns surrounding TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance.
For those searching for the app, Android users encounter an unclickable TikTok icon with a message stating, “Downloads for this app are paused due to current U.S. legal requirements.” Apple users receive a similar notification: “TikTok and other ByteDance apps are not available in the country or region you’re in,” directing them to a support page explaining Apple’s compliance with U.S. laws.
Trump’s Executive Order and Legal Uncertainty
Experts argue that Trump’s executive order falls into a “gray area.” Ben Sperry, senior scholar at the International Center for Law & Economics, explains that while federal law still prohibits U.S. companies from distributing or updating TikTok, Trump’s directive signals that enforcement will not occur during the 75-day review period. This has left companies like Google and Apple in legal limbo.
Under existing legislation, U.S. companies that enable access to TikTok could face fines of $5,000 per user. With approximately 170 million American TikTok users, fines could theoretically total $850 billion if major tech firms were to reinstate the app. Even for industry giants such as Apple, Google, and Oracle, such penalties would be substantial.
To mitigate risks, Trump’s order instructs the U.S. Attorney General not to enforce the ban and to notify companies that they will not face penalties for non-compliance. However, the legislation itself remains intact, causing uncertainty for businesses navigating the situation.
The Politics Behind the Ban Reversal
Trump’s reinstatement of TikTok just days after Congress reaffirmed the ban has raised questions about his motivations. His executive order outlines his intent to consult with advisors and relevant agencies on national security concerns while assessing ByteDance’s compliance with mitigation measures.
TikTok’s security risks have been widely debated, with critics pointing to concerns that the Chinese government could access American user data or manipulate content. These fears led Congress to pass a bipartisan bill mandating ByteDance to divest TikTok’s U.S. assets by January 19, 2025.
Ironically, Trump initially sought to ban TikTok in 2020, citing national security risks, though the move coincided with an incident where TikTok users sabotaged attendance at one of his campaign rallies. Biden later revoked Trump’s ban but intensified scrutiny, ultimately signing legislation requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations.
Despite his prior stance, Trump’s latest actions suggest a shift in approach. Whether this reflects a change in his national security assessment or a political maneuver remains to be seen. For now, TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain as legal and political debates continue.
