TikTok stated on Friday that US Android customers can now download the software as package kits directly from its website, avoiding Apple and Google’s limitations. The move follows US legislation that took effect on January 19, mandating TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the site or face a statewide ban.\
TikTok Faces App Store Ban Over National Security Concerns
Since the law was enacted, Apple and Google have refused to reinstate the software in their respective app stores. Congress passed the measure, which was signed into effect by then-President Joe Biden, in response to national security concerns about ByteDance ownership.
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US officials allege that TikTok could misuse the data of American users. But TikTok argues that its data storage and content moderation operations pertaining to US users are handled locally on Oracle-operated cloud servers.
Trump Wants Delay, To Consider Buying It
President Donald Trump, who officially assumed office on the day after the law came into effect, already signed an executive order that delays its enforcement by 75 days. Trump said that the administration is discussing a sale of TikTok, and so far, intends to decide on its future this month. Currently, it has about 170 million users in the US.
On Monday, Trump signed an executive order directing the formation of a sovereign wealth fund, which he indicated might be used to buy TikTok.
Free Speech Advocates Oppose TikTok Ban
The ban, however, elicited criticism from free speech proponents, who viewed the restrictions imposed as limiting the expression of those in the digital world. It said that officials in the United States have lied about its Chinese ties, while its content-recommendation algorithms and moderation policies for US users are operated domestically.
TikTok’s effort to keep an engaged American audience is the hope as its battle in the judicial and political world continues.
