Apple releases ‘unprecedented’ response for iPhone users

Now you know that TikTok has been banned in the United States, and despite initial expectations that this would just mean users wouldn’t be able to update the app or download it, the app went dark. But a series of remarkable things happened as a result, including Apple releasing a support document – ​​unheard of in app removal – and now TikTok owner Bytedance has declared that he had restored the service! So what does this mean for its reappearance on the Apple App Store and Apple’s response to it. Keep reading.

For a detailed explanation of how we got to this situation, read Forbes contributor Ewan Spence’s excellent analysis here. Bytedance announced just hours after dark that it would bring back TikTok. Well, that was quick.

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First of all, it’s worth noting that TikTok has not returned to the Apple App Store. Here’s why: Although President Trump has said enough to make Bytedance feel safe restoring TikTok (read the company’s statement below), a significant legal review is underway. “It is not clear whether the app’s Chinese parent company has met the necessary requirements to extend the time needed to find a potential buyer and avoid a permanent shutdown,” Bloomberg commented.

He emphasizes that the reprieve can only be temporary, as the law requires Bytedance to sell the service’s U.S. operations to a buyer approved by the U.S. government. It allows for a 90-day extension, as Trump announced, but such an extension requires the company to certify to Congress that a “qualified disposition” is being made.

Additionally, President Trump’s suggestion of a 50% U.S. stake in TikTok likely does not meet the law’s requirements, although Congress could of course repeal it.

Republican Senator Tom Cotton said on by the DOJ, but also under the Securities Act. shareholder lawsuits and state AGMs. Think about it.

This comment alone could be enough to mean that companies like Apple and Google will be reluctant to restore the app to their app stores.

Since there could be a fine per user for providing a banned app, caution will continue to be the watchword for these companies, I suggest.

As Bloomberg’s Dave Lee noted separately: “The chain of events should be of great concern to us all. The three branches of government played their assigned roles. The app should, obviously, be inaccessible to Americans. The reasoning behind this action has not changed. Even if that were the case, the solution to bad legislation should be better legislation. If Washington considered the TikTok threat real last year, it should believe the same thing today, even if it is hated.” Lee’s article calls TikTok an app too popular to ban.

Here is TikTok’s latest statement, made on the afternoon of January 19. It said: “In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We thank President Trump for providing necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will not face any penalties in providing TikTok to more than 170 million Americans and enabling more than 7 million small businesses to thrive.

“This is a strong stance in favor of the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.

As for Apple’s unprecedented action, it was spotted by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in an article on TikTok and ByteDance Ltd. in the United States.

“Apple has released a support document on the TikTok ban. I’ve never seen one before for deleting an app. But again, this is all pretty unprecedented. All this for a 48-hour ban,” Gurman said.

Of course, we didn’t know how long the ban would last, but Gurman’s post on Sunday, January 19 referred to the fact that Donald Trump would be inaugurated president on Monday, January 20 and that he might reverse his decision, or to any time. least delay, the ban comes into force.

And, to be clear, even though Bytedance says it’s restoring service, it’s not business as usual. First, the company didn’t have to stop the service, just not let anyone download or update it. But the company appears to have wanted to ensure that no one was fined for doing something wrong.

Trump said in recent hours that he would “very likely” offer TikTok a 90-day reprieve, in an interview with NBC News. “The 90-day extension is something that will most likely be done, because it is appropriate. You know, it’s appropriate. We need to examine it carefully. This is a very serious situation,” Trump said.

And the timing Gurman mentioned might apply. “If I decide to do it, I will probably announce it on Monday,” continued the president-elect.

So now the phoenix of TikTok has risen from the ashes and its absence from people’s phones will have been just an incident, at least for now.

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The Apple support document lists non-TikTok apps that are affected, such as Marvel Snap, Lemon8, and CapCut. “If these apps are already installed on your device, they will remain on your device. But they cannot be redownloaded if deleted or restored if you move to a new device. In-app purchases and new subscriptions are no longer possible,” Apple says.

It also points out that if you visit the United States, you will “not be able to download, update, or make in-app purchases and new subscriptions in the ByteDance Ltd apps.” when you are within the land or sea borders of the United States.” All features return when you leave the United States.

This won’t change: I’ve reached out to Apple for clarification and will report back as soon as I hear more, but I think neither Apple nor Google will risk doing the wrong thing by restoring the app in the future. relevant application stores. .

TikTok knows the change in administration is significant, saying in a post on the app: “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated he will work with us on a solution to restore TikTok once he takes over. its functions. Please stay tuned!

More like we have it.

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