- TikTok was supposed to cease operating in the US in January
- However, it was saved by President Trump hours later
- Questions still remain about its future
TikTok is one of the most popular social media apps in the United States. Currently, it boasts more than 160 million users in the country alone.
These enthusiastic content gobblers were bereft about the looming ban. It was due to come in on 19 January. However, hours after it went into effect, the video-sharing app was back.
Read more: Is TikTok actually getting banned?
In their returning statement, company ByteDance thanked President Donald Trump for his hand in resurrecting the app for US users.
One of the first acts of his second presidency was to sign an Executive Order to formalise its reprisal.
At the moment, the ban’s reversal is only temporary. Here is everything we know about it.
When is TikTok getting banned again?
When Trump brought back the app, he urged in a speech that “we have no choice, we have to save it” before saying that a US company needed to purchase a 50 per cent stake in it.
The order declared that it was going “to permit my Adminstration an opportunity to determine the appropriate course of action with respect to TikTok”
In a later speech to reporters, Trump dubbed it a “joint venture” with an American company and ByteDance; Trump asserted it would “make a lot of money”.
Read more: TikTok users share reaction to app going dark
However, the order also gave TikTok a time limit of 75 days to meet these terms and conditions.
Many people have put their names in the ring to purchase it. Mr Beast is one of the more high-profile people who throws his hat into the ring. Companies like Microsoft have also been named as potential buyers.
In the early days of its return, it was not available for download on the Apple App and Google Play Store. This is no longer the case.
Why is TikTok getting banned?
US lawmakers have cited concerns that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, shares the personal data of American-based users with the Chinese government. At every opportunity, the tech giant has denied doing this.
During Trump’s first presidency, he threatened to ban it. However, he had a change of heart recently. No concrete reason was cited, but many believe it was due to the favourable edge it gave his recent campaign.
The previous administration, led by President Joe Biden, made a lot of gestures against the app. This included removing the app from all federal government-issued devices.
When is the exact date of the extension ends?
If no one comes forward to purchase half of the platform, it is set to go dark on 5 April.
