Payam Javan: TikTok returned to Apple and Google Play stores in the United States on Thursday after President Donald Trump postponed the enforcement of a federal ban on the platform. The popular Chinese-owned video-sharing app had gone offline for 12 hours on January 19 due to a ban imposed under the Biden administration, which cited concerns over data security and potential risks to American users. Trump, who assumed office on January 20, delayed the ban, stating that he wanted to give TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, more time to finalize a sale to a U.S. buyer before the ban took full effect. The president emphasized his commitment to national security while also acknowledging the platform’s widespread popularity among Americans, particularly younger voters.

While Trump initially set a 75-day delay, extending until April 5, he indicated that further extensions might not be necessary, expressing confidence that Chinese leader Xi Jinping would approve TikTok’s sale to an American company. The decision provided relief to service providers and users, with TikTok thanking Trump for the “necessary clarity” that they would not face penalties during the delay period. Market intelligence firm Sensor Tower reported that TikTok was the second most downloaded app in the U.S. in 2024, accumulating over 52 million downloads, with a nearly even split between Apple and Google Play users. As the ban remains temporarily lifted, the app’s fate hinges on whether ByteDance can secure an agreement that satisfies U.S. national security concerns.