Udaipur, February 17, 2025 - TikTok, the popular video-sharing app, has returned to the Apple and Google app stores in the United States, nearly a month after being removed due to a new security law. The app's brief disappearance from the stores caused frustration for millions of users. TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, faced potential bans in the United States over concerns about national security. The main worry was that the Chinese government might use TikTok to spy on Americans or influence U.S. public opinion through data collection and content manipulation.

Temporary Restoration

The app went offline on January 18, but it was restored when President Donald Trump began his second term and issued a 75-day pause on enforcing the law that would have banned TikTok. Despite the pause, Apple and Google had not made TikTok available on their app stores until recently.

Potential Divestment and Future Plans

Trump had ordered TikTok to divest from its Chinese owner, ByteDance, or face a ban. He also suggested a potential joint venture between the U.S. and ByteDance, though no details were provided on how this would work. Trump expressed that he had a “warm spot” for TikTok, despite the national security concerns.

Legal and Penalty Concerns

The law, which remains in effect, could impose penalties of up to $5,000 per user if the app is accessed. This has added pressure on TikTok to comply with the U.S. government's security requirements.

TikTok's Global Scrutiny

TikTok, initially launched in 2016 as Douyin for China and later as TikTok in 2017 for international markets, has faced criticism and scrutiny from governments worldwide over its data privacy practices and ties to China.