**TikTok Resurfaces in U.S. App Stores Amid Lingering Ambiguity**

TikTok is now back for download in the United States. As per a report from *Bloomberg*, both Apple and Google have brought the widely-used video-sharing app back to their app stores as of Thursday evening. This follows TikTok’s initial removal in January.

### **Context on the Ban**

Before the formal implementation of the ban on January 19, TikTok had already limited access for U.S. users. However, the app quickly resumed its services after then-President-elect Donald Trump indicated he would not enforce the ban. The Biden administration also affirmed that it would not pursue enforcement, pointing to the timing of the ban, which aligned with a holiday weekend and the presidential inauguration.

One of Trump’s initial executive actions as president was to issue an order that temporarily postponed the ban. He conveyed his desire to negotiate a solution that would enable TikTok to keep operating in the U.S. while addressing the national security issues that initiated the ban.

### **App Store Limitations and Legal Issues**

Despite the postponement, TikTok continued to be unavailable on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Under the *Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act*, Apple and Google could have faced consequences for distributing or updating the app.

Though Trump’s executive order on January 20 provided temporary protection to Apple and Google by delaying enforcement for 75 days, the tech giants reportedly sought further assurances. They only reinstated TikTok after obtaining a letter from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, as directed by Trump, affirming that the ban would not be enforced.

### **Prospective Ambiguity**

While TikTok is again accessible, the long-term outcome is uncertain. Trump has recently proposed that the U.S. government might acquire TikTok using a sovereign wealth fund he has suggested.

Nonetheless, ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, has consistently declared that it has no intention of selling the platform. The company contends that the U.S. government’s requirement for divestment is *”technologically, commercially, and legally infeasible.”*

Mashable has reached out to Apple and Google for more details.