Hajra Naz
The future of TikTok in the United States has been in limbo since a law was passed requiring its Chinese proprietor, ByteDance, to offer the app on national security grounds or go up against a boycott. Previous President Joe Biden signed the charge into law in April 2024, and the necessity was set to begin on January 19, 2025. However, upon accepting office on January 20, President Donald Trump marked an official order delaying the boycott for 75 days, giving TikTok a temporary lifesaver.
Trump’s Perspective on TikTok
President Trump has recognized TikTok’s impact, crediting the app with making a difference in him winning the 2024 presidential election. He communicated intrigue in securing a deal to keep the app operational in the U.S. and recommended that the 75-day deadline for banning TikTok may be extended if required. Trump stated that he found the app to be reasonable and valuable in engaging with young voters, including that he accepts Chinese President Xi Jinping would approve the deal of TikTok to a U.S. buyer.
Efforts to Keep TikTok Running
Trump has proposed that the U.S. government should take a 50% share of TikTok, either through a joint venture or via American companies such as Oracle or Elon Musk’s X. To facilitate this, he inaugurated a U.S. sovereign fund that could participate in TikTok’s dealmaking.
TikTok’s Temporary Removal and Restoration
Before the enforcement delay, Apple and Google removed TikTok from their respective app stores on January 18 in response to national security concerns. Other ByteDance apps, such as CapCut and Lemon8, were also taken down. Apple even published a support document explaining the removal, which was later deleted.
TikTok started restoring services to existing users on January 19, but new downloads remained confined until Apple and Google reinstated the app on January 25. TikTok empowered Android users to sideload the app through its site during this period.
Market Impact and Competition
Despite the vulnerability surrounding its future, TikTok remains one of the most well-known apps in the U.S., positioning as the second most downloaded app in 2024 with 52 million downloads, according to Sensor Tower. After the partial restoration, TikTok’s activity returned to about 90% of pre-ban levels, as reported by Cloudflare Radar. However, rival platforms have attempted to capitalize on the uncertainty. X and Bluesky launched dedicated vertical video feeds, while Meta introduced a video editing app to compete with CapCut.
What Happens Next?
While TikTok has been restored, its long-term future in the U.S. remains unclear. ByteDance still has about 50 days to finalize a sale of its U.S. assets. Even if a deal is made, changes to the app’s algorithm, ownership structure, and terms of service may alter the TikTok experience for American users.
How the Ban Affected App Stores
Before TikTok’s reinstatement, Android users searching for the app in the Google Play Store were met with an unclickable app icon and a message stating: “Downloads for this app are paused due to current U.S. legal requirements.” iPhone users saw a message in the Apple App Store saying that TikTok and other ByteDance apps were “not available in the country or region you’re in,” with a link to a support page explaining the restrictions.
Final Thoughts
ByteDance’s ability to reach a deal that addresses national security concerns will decide TikTok’s future in the United States as the new deadline draws close. TikTok’s impact on social media and digital engagement is apparent, regardless of whether it changes essentially or remains the same.
