TikTok announced on Friday that U.S. Android users can now download the app via package kits from its website, bypassing restrictions. The platform remains unavailable on Apple and Google app stores following a law that took effect on January 19, requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban over national security concerns.
President Donald Trump, who took office a day after the law’s enactment, issued an executive order delaying enforcement by 75 days. He has also hinted at an imminent decision regarding TikTok’s future, with discussions ongoing about its potential sale.
On Monday, Trump signed another order to establish a sovereign wealth fund within a year, suggesting it could purchase TikTok. U.S. officials claim ByteDance poses a risk of American user data misuse, though TikTok denies ties to the Chinese government. The company asserts that its recommendation algorithms and user data are stored in the U.S. on Oracle-operated servers, with content moderation decisions also made domestically.
Despite concerns, free speech advocates have opposed the ban, arguing it limits digital expression. The law, which passed Congress with strong bipartisan support, was signed by then-President Joe Biden. With 170 million American users, TikTok remains a focal point in ongoing debates over national security, data privacy, and free speech.
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