TikTok’s sudden return has left many wondering what happened during its brief absence from American app stores. In January, President Donald Trump announced a ban on the popular social media platform, citing concerns over national security and data privacy. However, just hours later, ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, announced that it would be restoring service.
In an unprecedented move, Apple issued a support document regarding the ban, explaining that affected apps, including Marvel Snap, Lemon8, and CapCut, will remain on devices but cannot be redownloaded or updated. Users will also face restrictions on in-app purchases and new subscriptions within ByteDance Ltd. apps while in the US.
However, this new development may not be permanent, as President Trump has offered a 90-day reprieve to TikTok. The company has expressed its gratitude for President-elect Trump’s assurance that it will not face penalties for providing the app to over 170 million Americans and allowing small businesses to thrive.
The return of TikTok is seen as a significant development in the sector, with many experts speculating about the implications of this move on the tech industry. For now, users can look forward to having their favorite social media platform back on their devices.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidphelan/2025/01/19/tiktok-ban-apple-issues-unprecedented-response-for-iphone-users