Although TikTok is now available for use once again in the US after a short ban it is still not listed on Google and Apple app stores. This is because neither company is allowed to do so anymore thanks to the executive order signed up the previous President Joe Biden.
.jpg "TikTok May Never Return to Apple App Store Unless It Meets This Condition")
That being said unless and until TikTok gives up its US operations to an American company neither Apple nor Google will be able to list the app on their app stores again. Apple has confirmed this in a new support documents summarizing that all apps created by TikTok parent company ByteDance cannot be listed on the App Store.
Here is what the documents says:
Apple is obligated to follow the laws in the jurisdictions where is operates. Pursuant to the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act apps developed by ByteDance Ltd. And its subsidiaries—including TikTok, CapCut, Lemon8 and others—will no longer be available for download or updates on the App Store for users in the United States starting January 19,2025.
Despite Donald Trump signing an executive order granting TikTok and its partners as 75-day reprieve from a potential ban, legal experts have clarified that federal law remains unchanged. The executive order does not override existing legislation leaving TikTok future in the U.S. uncertain.
For the platform to continue operating in the country the newly elected President must demonstrate to Congress that TikTok has fully severed ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance and is now under the ownership of a U.S.-based entity. So far none of these conditions have been met.
As a result it is unsurprising that Apple and Google have refrained from reinstating TikTok in their app stores as doing so could expose them to significant fines. For these curious about TikTok ownership structure 60% of the company is held by institutional investors including BlackRock, General Atlantic and the Carlyle Group. The remaining shares are split evenly with 20% owned by its founders and another 20% by its global employees.