Neither Apple nor Google have reinstated TikTok in their respective app stores, and for compelling reasons: the supposed escape clause presented by Trump is illusory. Both firms would face potential liabilities totalling hundreds of billions of dollars.
As of this past weekend, Android users hoping to install TikTok have an alternative – but I wouldn’t recommend it. It might be more prudent for them to utilize the method available to iPhone users …
Reasons TikTok hasn’t returned to app stores
Current legislation mandates that the app must be sold to an American entity, and until that occurs, it is illegal for US companies to engage in any business with its parent organization, ByteDance. Consequently, app stores are unable to offer it for download.
Trump did authorize an executive order to halt the enforcement of this law, but that order likely lacks legality and certainly does not safeguard companies relying on it. They remain vulnerable to prosecution under a future administration, or even this one if Trump changes his stance or develops a grievance against any of the businesses – both of which are part of his regular behavior.
Hence, it’s no surprise that none of the major app stores – Apple, Google, Microsoft, or Amazon – have reinstated the application.
Android users can access direct downloads
As reported by our sister site 9to5Google, ByteDance has made the TikTok app for Android available for direct download, bypassing Google’s app store.
The widely used app is now obtainable for direct download as an APK, despite being blocked from the Google Play Store […] In a post on Twitter/X, TikTok announced that it has enabled direct APK downloads for its Android app, along with a “Lite” version.
This implies that users will be downloading an application directly from a Chinese firm without any intermediary app store in the US conducting vetting or oversight.
It’s possible that this direct download uses the exact same binary as the one previously available in the Google Play Store and is entirely safe. However, there’s also a chance it might not be.
A safer alternative: Mimic iPhone users
Apple’s enclosed ecosystem means that an ordinary iPhone user has no means to install an app outside of the App Store (or, in EU nations, a third-party app store).
However, iPhone users have a workaround: simply add the tiktok.com website to your Home Screen. This can be done by visiting the website, tapping the Share button, and choosing the Add to Home Screen option. This will then provide immediate access to TikTok on the web.
I’d suggest that Android users adopt the same approach.
White House seeks alternatives to direct sale
While current law mandates that TikTok’s operations in the US be acquired by an American company, the WSJ reports that the White House is considering a potential joint venture, which might even involve government participation.
Recently, TikTok CEO Shou Chew met with senior officials from the White House and proposed a plan envisioning a joint venture with US investors. This new venture would be based in the US and oversee data security management, according to sources familiar with the proposal. The management team would be based in the U.S., and the board of directors would consist of a majority of U.S. members. Whether U.S. government investors will be part of this is still uncertain.
Compounding the issue is the new trade conflict initiated by Trump, where TikTok may be used as leverage. Nonetheless, the legality of any clandestine agreement with the White House is still a matter of debate.
Image: DMN composite using background by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash
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