TikTok's momentary removal from Apple and Google's app stores ended quickly after former President Donald Trump issued an executive order delaying the ban's enforcement. The social media platform is now back online and fully operational in the United States.

The situation emerged from a law signed by President Biden in April 2024, requiring ByteDance (TikTok's Chinese parent company) to sell the app to a U.S. or allied owner within 270 days or face a ban. After the Supreme Court upheld the ban, Apple and Google briefly removed TikTok, but restored it within 14 hours following Trump's intervention.

Trump's executive order extends the deadline by 75 days, allowing more time for negotiations. During this period:

• Existing users can continue using TikTok normally
• New users can download the app from both app stores
• ByteDance must still find a U.S. buyer

The law's potential enforcement could affect several tech partners:

• Apple and Google (app store removal)
• Oracle (U.S. cloud provider)
• Internet providers (potential access blocking)

Trump's position shifted after personally using TikTok, stating: "TikTok is largely about kids, young kids… If China is going to get information about young kids out of it, to be honest, I think we have bigger problems than that." However, he maintains the authority to "sell it or close it."

While TikTok's 175 million U.S. users can continue using the platform, its long-term future remains uncertain. ByteDance must secure a U.S. buyer within the extended deadline to avoid another potential ban. The situation continues to develop as negotiations proceed.

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