As the battle over TikTok’s future in the U.S. intensifies, the company has found a way to keep its app accessible despite restrictions.
On Friday, TikTok announced that Android users in the U.S. could now download and connect to the app through package kits (APKs) available on its website, bypassing the removal of TikTok from the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store.
TikTok’s removal comes after a controversial U.S. law, which took effect on January 19, required its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to either sell TikTok or face a ban over national security concerns.
American officials argue that ByteDance’s ownership of TikTok poses a risk, claiming the Chinese government could access the data of 170 million U.S. users.
However, TikTok has repeatedly denied these allegations, insisting that its recommendation algorithms and user data are stored in the United States on Oracle-operated cloud servers and that content moderation for American users is handled within the country.
President Donald Trump, who took office just one day after the law went into effect, has taken an unexpected stance on the issue. While Congress overwhelmingly supported the TikTok ban, Trump has signed an executive order delaying the law’s enforcement by 75 days, suggesting he may be open to alternatives.
Trump has also revealed that he is in discussions with multiple parties regarding TikTok’s potential sale and expects to make a decision later this month.
Interestingly, on Monday, he signed another executive order calling for the creation of a U.S. sovereign wealth fund within the next year—one that, theoretically, could purchase TikTok itself.
The debate over TikTok’s future is about more than just one app—it’s about the balance between national security and free speech. For now, TikTok remains accessible to U.S. Android users through its website, and iPhone users still have access if they previously downloaded the app.
REUTERS