TikTok, the popular short-video app, has resumed operations in the United States after the White House suspended enforcement of a January 19 ban for 75 days. However, Apple and Google have yet to reintroduce TikTok to their app stores, citing potential legal uncertainties surrounding the move.
The order, signed by Donald Trump upon his return to the US presidency, temporarily halts a requirement for TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its US operations or face a de facto ban.
While the order provides assurances against prosecution for companies that continue working with TikTok, legal experts warn of the limitations of such promises.
Saurabh Vishnubhakat, a law professor at the Cardozo School of Law, explained that courts may view the suspension of enforcement as temporary but remain sceptical of any “wholesale repudiation” of the law.
Similarly, Alan Rozenshtein of the University of Minnesota cautioned that the executive order offers only “minimal security” and highlighted the risk of selective enforcement.
Apple and Google’s decision not to restore TikTok means US users cannot download or update the app. Used phones with TikTok pre-installed have reportedly appeared on resale sites.
Security expert Steven Murdoch from University College London said that without updates, the app may malfunction or face unaddressed vulnerabilities.
ByteDance continues to operate TikTok globally while its sister app, Douyin, serves Chinese users. Meanwhile, Oracle’s founder Larry Ellison has been floated as a potential buyer, though negotiations remain uncertain.
Apple and Google’s stance reflects a broader need for clarity, with both companies seeking a legally sound resolution to the impasse.