TikTok goes dark for US users, while Trump signals he will save it
2 months ago

TikTok goes dark for US users, while Trump signals he will save it

Live Mint  

TikTok started going dark for 170 million American users in an unprecedented display of the U.S.-China divide over technology and national security. TikTok Chief Executive Shou Chew is scheduled to attend Trump’s inauguration, along with U.S. tech luminaries including Mark Zuckerberg, whose Meta Platforms owns TikTok rival Instagram. In recent days, Chinese officials have internally discussed options including allowing a trusted non-Chinese party such as Elon Musk to invest in or take control of TikTok’s U.S. operations. Potential suitors include Project Liberty, led by billionaire Frank McCourt, which said it submitted a proposal to buy TikTok’s U.S. assets other than the app’s algorithm. TikTok planned to shut down the app protectively so that its partners, including Apple and Google’s app stores and Oracle, which hosts U.S. users’ data, would be shielded from legal liability.

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History of this topic

AI startup Perplexity confirms interest to buy TikTok
4 days, 2 hours ago

AI startup Perplexity confirms interest to buy TikTok

Raw Story  

by Glenn CHAPMAN Artificial intelligence startup Perplexity on Friday expressed its interest in buying TikTok, which faces a deadline to divest from its Chinese owner or be banned in the United States. "Combining Perplexity's answer engine with TikTok's extensive video library would allow us to build the best search experience in the world," the San Francisco-based firm reasoned. President Donald …

TikTok ban coming soon? April 5 deadline approaching; will Donald Trump extend it? What we know
1 week, 5 days ago

TikTok ban coming soon? April 5 deadline approaching; will Donald Trump extend it? What we know

Live Mint  

Time is ticking away for TikTok as it looks at a ban in the United States. Since Donald Trump assumed presidency, where he promised to ‘save TikTok’ there have been assumptions that the app may see a new owner in the US, have an extension on the ban or simply be banned again. After taking office, President Donald Trump gave …

Trump says TikTok deal is in the works. Here’s where things stand with the company
Trending News
1 week, 6 days ago

Trump says TikTok deal is in the works. Here’s where things stand with the company

The Hindu  

In less than a month, TikTok could have one or a few new owners, be banned again, or simply receive another reprieve to continue operating in the United States. Trump’s order came a few days after the Supreme Court unanimously upheld a federal law that required TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest or be banned in January. In January, Perplexity …

Trump says TikTok deal is in the works. Here’s where things stand with the company
2 weeks ago

Trump says TikTok deal is in the works. Here’s where things stand with the company

Associated Press  

In less than a month, TikTok could have one or a few new owners, be banned again, or simply receive another reprieve to continue operating in the United States. Trump’s order came a few days after the Supreme Court unanimously upheld a federal law that required TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest or be banned in January. In January, Perplexity …

'Time Away': TikTok enables parents to set screen time limits for teens
2 weeks ago

'Time Away': TikTok enables parents to set screen time limits for teens

Firstpost  

The feature, set for immediate launch in the EU with the US to follow later, allows parents to set time limits or establish time windows for being on TikTok, the company said in a statement on its website TikTok on Tuesday said that parents will now be able to limit screen times for teen users to prevent overexposure to the …

4 groups in talks to buy TikTok, says Trump
2 weeks, 1 day ago

4 groups in talks to buy TikTok, says Trump

Firstpost  

After suspending the bipartisan ban on TikTok shortly after assuming office, US President Donald Trump has been pursuing a sale of the app’s US operations for its continued working in the country Trump’s proposed involvement of the US government in TikTok’s operations, particularly his desire for the US govt to hold a 50% stake in a joint venture, has raised …

US in talks with four groups over TikTok sale, says Donald Trump
2 weeks, 2 days ago

US in talks with four groups over TikTok sale, says Donald Trump

Hindustan Times  

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that his administration is discussing the sale of TikTok with four different groups and considers all options viable. On Thursday, US President Donald Trump said he would "probably" extend the April 5 deadline for ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, to sell the social media platform or face a ban in the United States. …

Trump says US in talks with four groups over TikTok sale: All options good
Trending News
2 weeks, 2 days ago

Trump says US in talks with four groups over TikTok sale: All options good

India Today  

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that his administration was in touch with four different groups about the sale of Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok, and that all options were good. TikTok's fate has been up in the air since a law requiring its owner ByteDance to either sell it on national security grounds or face a ban took …

TikTok ban: Donald Trump open to extending another olive branch to Chinese company; ‘Lot of interest in…’
2 weeks, 4 days ago

TikTok ban: Donald Trump open to extending another olive branch to Chinese company; ‘Lot of interest in…’

Live Mint  

US President Donald Trump has signalled his willingness to save the popular short-video app TikTok from another potential ban. Donald Trump on giving extension to TikTok: Speaking to the media on Thursday, Trump said there was a ‘lot of interest’ in buying TikTok and he would probably not need an extension given that there was still another month left untill …

Reddit co-founder joins 'People's Bid' to buy TikTok
2 weeks, 6 days ago

Reddit co-founder joins 'People's Bid' to buy TikTok

The Hindu  

Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian announced Monday that he is joining a US bid to buy TikTok, becoming a strategic advisor to the effort. Ohanian said he would join an initiative called "The People's Bid for TikTok," launched by real estate and sports tycoon Frank McCourt's Project Liberty initiative, in a campaign joined by investor Kevin O'Leary, known from the "Shark …

With TikTok future uncertain in US, Instagram plans new Reels app: Report – Firstpost
3 weeks, 5 days ago

With TikTok future uncertain in US, Instagram plans new Reels app: Report – Firstpost

Firstpost  

TikTok is facing a US law that ordered the company to break off from its Chinese owner ByteDance or otherwise be banned in the United States over national security concerns regarding the data it gathers on users Instagram is considering rolling out a new app exclusively for its short-form video feature Reels. The development comes as TikTok’s future in the …

Instagram May Launch Separate App for Reels: Report
Top News
3 weeks, 5 days ago

Instagram May Launch Separate App for Reels: Report

Deccan Chronicle  

Instagram is reportedly considering launching a separate app for its short-form video feature, Reels, in light of TikTok’s uncertain future in the United States. Last year, former US President Joe Biden signed legislation requiring TikTok’s parent, ByteDance, to sell to a US owner or shut down. While signing the order, Trump suggested that the US government should be a half …

TikTok returns to US stores as rival Xiaohongshu sees 91% drop in downloads
1 month ago

TikTok returns to US stores as rival Xiaohongshu sees 91% drop in downloads

Hindustan Times  

ByteDance Ltd.’s TikTok is back on US mobile stores and the app that seemed poised to take its place has suffered a precipitous drop in interest. In the five days following TikTok’s relisting on Apple Inc.’s iPhone app store and Alphabet Inc.’s Google Play, downloads of social app Xiaohongshu plummeted by 91%, according to Sensor Tower data. Also known as …

DeepSeek to meet TikTok's fate? Why countries are banning the ChatGPT challenger
1 month, 1 week ago

DeepSeek to meet TikTok's fate? Why countries are banning the ChatGPT challenger

India Today  

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek created ripples in the tech industry when it launched its ultra-cheap challenger to OpenAI's ChatGPT, getting millions of downloads within just weeks. This followed the news that the US Navy has banned the use of DeepSeek among its ranks due to “potential security and ethical concerns.” To recall, one of the main reasons that TikTok was …

TikTok returns to Apple and Google app stores in the US
1 month, 1 week ago

TikTok returns to Apple and Google app stores in the US

Deccan Chronicle  

TikTok has returned to the app stores of Apple and Google in the U.S., after President Donald Trump delayed the enforcement of a TikTok ban.TikTok, which is operated by Chinese technology firm ByteDance, was removed from Apple and Google’s app stores on Jan. 18 to comply with a law that requires ByteDance to divest the app or be banned in …

TikTok is back on the app store, but it’s not safe from another ban. Here’s what happens next
Trending News
1 month, 1 week ago

TikTok is back on the app store, but it’s not safe from another ban. Here’s what happens next

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy TikTok is back in the U.S. app stores Thursday following …

President Donald Trump postpones TikTok ban, App reinstated on Apple and Google Stores
1 month, 1 week ago

President Donald Trump postpones TikTok ban, App reinstated on Apple and Google Stores

Live Mint  

After being temporarily removed from digital marketplaces, TikTok has returned to Apple and Google’s app stores in the United States. The return follows President Donald Trump’s decision to postpone the enforcement of a ban that would have permanently barred the app from the country. This brief interruption led to an exodus of users flocking to RedNote, a Chinese social media …

Why is TikTok back in the Apple and Google app stores?
1 month, 1 week ago

Why is TikTok back in the Apple and Google app stores?

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy TikTok has been restored to Google Play and Apple’s App Store after President …

TikTok returns to Apple and Google app stores in the US
1 month, 1 week ago

TikTok returns to Apple and Google app stores in the US

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — TikTok has returned to the app stores of Apple and Google in the U.S., after President Donald Trump delayed the enforcement of a TikTok ban. TikTok, which is operated by Chinese technology firm ByteDance, was removed from Apple and Google’s app stores on Jan. 18 to comply with a law that requires ByteDance to divest the app …

TikTok returns on Apple, Google app stores as Trump delays ban
1 month, 1 week ago

TikTok returns on Apple, Google app stores as Trump delays ban

The Hindu  

TikTok returned on the U.S. app stores of Apple and Google on Thursday, as President Donald Trump delayed its ban until April 5 and assured the companies they would not be fined for distributing or maintaining the Chinese app. The popular short video app, used by 170 million American users, started restoring its services, weeks after the app went dark, …

TikTok returns in the US on Google's Play Store and Apple's App Store after Trump delays ban till April 5
1 month, 1 week ago

TikTok returns in the US on Google's Play Store and Apple's App Store after Trump delays ban till April 5

Hindustan Times  

TikTok returned on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store in the US on Thursday, February 13, 2025, with President Donald Trump signing an executive order to delay its ban till April 5. As a result, the legislation, called ‘Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act’ was signed into law and it required ByteDance to sell the US …

TikTok Is Back in US App Stores
Trending News
55 years, 2 months ago

TikTok Is Back in US App Stores

Wired  

Twenty-six days after it was banished from US app stores, TikTok has returned to the iOS App Store and Google Play store. Apple and Google brought back the Chinese-owned video app after receiving a letter from US attorney general Pam Bondi assuring the companies they would not be fined for hosting it, Bloomberg first reported Thursday. That’s because the law …

TikTok returns to US Apple and Google app stores after Trump's ban delay
Trending News
1 month, 1 week ago

TikTok returns to US Apple and Google app stores after Trump's ban delay

ABC  

Social media platform TikTok has returned to Apple and Google mobile app stores in the United States after President Donald Trump delayed its ban until April 5 and assured the tech giants they would not be fined for distributing or maintaining the Chinese app. TikTok, used by 170 million Americans, started restoring its services on AAPL.O and GOOGLE.O on Thursday, …

TikTok is back on Apple and Google app stores in the U.S.
1 month, 1 week ago

TikTok is back on Apple and Google app stores in the U.S.

LA Times  

TikTok is once again available on Apple’s app store and Google Play. Apple and Google have restored TikTok to their U.S. app stores after President Trump delayed enforcement of a law that requires the popular video app to divest or face a nationwide ban. TikTok responded by suing the U.S. government, saying a ban would violate 1st Amendment rights and …

TikTok is back in Apple, Google app stores in U.S.
1 month, 1 week ago

TikTok is back in Apple, Google app stores in U.S.

Salon  

TikTok is back in Apple and Google app stores in the U.S., nearly a month after it was removed from them. Related TikTok Shop booming while facing a ban After receiving assurance from the Department of Justice that the ban would not be enforced, TikTok has reappeared in the app stores and is available to download again, according to The …

TikTok returns to US app stores after Trump delays ban
Top News
1 month, 1 week ago

TikTok returns to US app stores after Trump delays ban

Al Jazeera  

Apple and Google have made the video-sharing app available again amid national security concerns from some US officials. TikTok has returned to the app stores of Apple and Google in the United States after President Donald Trump delayed the enforcement of a ban on the popular social media app, operated by Chinese technology firm ByteDance. The app’s fate had been …

TikTok returns to Apple and Google app stores in US after Donald Trump delayed ban
1 month, 1 week ago

TikTok returns to Apple and Google app stores in US after Donald Trump delayed ban

India Today  

TikTok returned to the US app stores of Apple and Google on Thursday as President Donald Trump delayed a ban on the Chinese-owned social media app and assured the tech giants they would not be fined for distributing or maintaining it. Although TikTok resumed service after Trump's assurances, Google opens new tab and Apple opens new tab kept the app …

TikTok is back on the Apple and Google app stores
1 month, 1 week ago

TikTok is back on the Apple and Google app stores

NPR  

TikTok is back on the Apple and Google app stores toggle caption Ashley Landis/AP Apple and Google have returned TikTok to mobile app stores in the U.S., ending a nearly month-long standoff between the tech giants and the video platform since a law banning the app took effect in January. The tech firms yanked TikTok from app stores on Jan. …

Apple and Google restore TikTok to their US app stores
1 month, 1 week ago

Apple and Google restore TikTok to their US app stores

CNN  

New York CNN — Google Play said it restored TikTok to the US app store on Thursday, following promises by President Donald Trump to save the app and an executive action delaying the enactment of a ban on the wildly popular social media platform. Tech companies faced consequences Trump signaled before taking office that he would sign an executive action …

Many banned Chinese apps make comeback in India: Will TikTok return?
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Many banned Chinese apps make comeback in India: Will TikTok return?

India Today  

Many of the Chinese apps that were banned in 2020 following the India-China border tensions have made a return to the Play Store in India as diplomatic relations between the two countries improve. With the evolving political landscape, the return of some of the banned Chinese apps - the question on everyone's mind is: Will TikTok make a comeback to …

TikTok finds way to skirt US ban with Android sideload
1 month, 2 weeks ago

TikTok finds way to skirt US ban with Android sideload

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy TikTok has bypassed restrictions in the US that prevent users from downloading the …

TikTok ban ‘on official devices remains’ as Government launches account
1 month, 2 weeks ago

TikTok ban ‘on official devices remains’ as Government launches account

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A ban on using TikTok on UK Government phones remains in …

Elon Musk says he is not interested in buying TikTok
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Elon Musk says he is not interested in buying TikTok

Deccan Chronicle  

Billionaire Elon Musk said that he was not interested in purchasing TikTok, the popular short-video app that the United States has been trying to ban over national security concerns with its Chinese owner ByteDance. "I have not put in a bid for TikTok," Musk said a week after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was open to Musk buying the …

Musk says not interested in acquiring TikTok
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Musk says not interested in acquiring TikTok

The Hindu  

Billionaire Elon Musk said that he was not interested in purchasing TikTok, the popular short-video app that the United States has been trying to ban over national security concerns with its Chinese owner ByteDance. "I have not put in a bid for TikTok," Musk said a week after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was open to Musk buying the …

Amazon and Microsoft reportedly eye TikTok acquisition, Elon Musk says not interested
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Amazon and Microsoft reportedly eye TikTok acquisition, Elon Musk says not interested

India Today  

The uncertainty over TikTok’s future in the US is looming. This comes after the US president, Donald Trump, while extending the TikTok ban in the US, said he would like TikTok’s US operations to remain under American control. According to reports, Amazon, Microsoft, and Oracle have privately explored ways to either acquire TikTok or take over its US operations, but …

'I Have Not Put In A Bid For TikTok', Elon Musk Clarifies He Has No Interest In Taking Over Company's US Operations
1 month, 2 weeks ago

'I Have Not Put In A Bid For TikTok', Elon Musk Clarifies He Has No Interest In Taking Over Company's US Operations

ABP News  

Speculations were surfacing earlier about Chinese officials reaching out to X owner Elon Musk for the acquisition of TikTok's operations in the US. Now Musk has stated that he has no interest in acquiring TikTok, the widely popular short video app currently facing potential bans in the United States over concerns related to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Musk, who …

Elon Musk says he has no interest in acquiring TikTok's US operations
Trending News
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Elon Musk says he has no interest in acquiring TikTok's US operations

Firstpost  

Musk, however, said he did not wish to acquire the company. “I’m not chomping at the bit to acquire TikTok” Elon Musk, the world’s richest person and a top advisor to US President Donald Trump, said he has no interest in acquiring social media platform TikTok’s operations in the United States, in comments released Saturday. “I’ve not put in a …

Elon Musk dismisses TikTok purchase speculations: ’I don’t have any plans for it’
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Elon Musk dismisses TikTok purchase speculations: ’I don’t have any plans for it’

Live Mint  

illionaire Elon Musk has confirmed that he is not interested in purchasing TikTok, the popular short-video app under threat of a US ban due to national security concerns with its Chinese owner, ByteDance. Musk's comments on TikTok Elon Musk's remarks, made in late January, were released online by The WELT Group, a division of German media company Axel Springer SE, …

If not via the App Store, here’s how to download TikTok on Android in the U.S.
1 month, 2 weeks ago

If not via the App Store, here’s how to download TikTok on Android in the U.S.

Live Mint  

TikTok has announced that Android users in the United States can now download and connect to the short-video platform via package kits available on its official website. The move comes as the app remains unavailable on Google and Apple’s app stores following the enforcement of a new U.S. law that came into effect on 19 January. The legislation, passed on …

TikTok to let U.S. Android users download app via kits on its website
1 month, 2 weeks ago

TikTok to let U.S. Android users download app via kits on its website

The Hindu  

TikTok said on Friday it was allowing U.S. Android users to download and connect to the short video app through package kits on its website, in an effort to circumvent restrictions on the popular platform in the country. Apple and Google have not reinstated TikTok to their app stores since a U.S. law took effect on January 19 requiring its …

TikTok Stole Our Hearts, but Can It Last?
55 years, 2 months ago

TikTok Stole Our Hearts, but Can It Last?

Wired  

Lauren Goode: That is one of the hardest languages to learn, so godspeed to you. Well, we're going to go to one that's fully based in China, definitely does not have servers in the United States to the extent that TikTok does. In fact, we're going to be posting memes and jokes about saying goodbye to our trusted Chinese spy." …

House lawmakers push to ban AI app DeepSeek from US government devices
Trending News
1 month, 2 weeks ago

House lawmakers push to ban AI app DeepSeek from US government devices

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — A bipartisan duo in the the U.S. House is proposing legislation to ban the Chinese artificial intelligence app DeepSeek from federal devices, similar to the policy already in place for the popular social media platform TikTok. Reps. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., and Darin LaHood, R-Ill., on Thursday introduced the “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act,” which would ban federal …

US lawmakers propose bill to ban DeepSeek from government devices
Top News
1 month, 2 weeks ago

US lawmakers propose bill to ban DeepSeek from government devices

CNN  

New York CNN — A pair of US lawmakers are seeking to ban government workers from using Chinese startup DeepSeek’s artificial intelligence chatbot on official devices. Reps. Darin LaHood, a Republican from Illinois, and Josh Gottheimer, a New Jersey Democrat, are set to propose legislation on Friday that would ban the use of DeepSeek on government devices over national security …

Texas bans DeepSeek, RedNote & Lemon8 on government devices, goes after Chinese tech businesses
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Texas bans DeepSeek, RedNote & Lemon8 on government devices, goes after Chinese tech businesses

Firstpost  

In a statement, Governor Abbott warned that Texas would not tolerate the infiltration of its critical infrastructure through apps that harvest data. Building on the 2022 ban of TikTok, Abbott has now prohibited six additional apps—DeepSeek, Lemon8 and RedNote, and some stock-trading apps The decision to broaden the list of banned apps comes as cybersecurity experts raise alarms about the …

Trump says an American sovereign wealth fund could acquire TikTok. Here’s what we know
Top News
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Trump says an American sovereign wealth fund could acquire TikTok. Here’s what we know

CNN  

New York CNN — President Donald Trump said Monday that TikTok could be acquired by a newly proposed US sovereign wealth fund. The statement was light on details, but Trump said that TikTok could be “put in” the possible sovereign wealth fund, to preserve access to the popular short-form video app in the United States. “Other countries have sovereign wealth …

Texas governor orders ban on DeepSeek, RedNote for government devices
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Texas governor orders ban on DeepSeek, RedNote for government devices

Deccan Chronicle  

Austin: Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott issued a ban on Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek for government-issued devices, becoming the first state to restrict the popular chatbot in such a manner. The governor also prohibited popular Chinese-owned social media apps Xiaohongshu, or what some are calling RedNote, and Lemon8 from all state-issued devices. “Texas will not allow the Chinese Communist …

Only a Great Firewall of America can block Chinese apps like DeepSeek and TikTok now
Trending News
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Only a Great Firewall of America can block Chinese apps like DeepSeek and TikTok now

The Independent  

For a few days in mid January, something happened on the internet that had never happened before – at least not on this scale. Some even referred to it as “2025’s Berlin Wall” moment, with RedNote offering US users a peek through the cyber barrier that usually separates the two countries, known as China’s Great Firewall. “DeepSeek’s arrival is a …

Texas governor orders ban on DeepSeek, RedNote for government devices
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Texas governor orders ban on DeepSeek, RedNote for government devices

The Hindu  

Greg Abbott issued a ban on Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek for government-issued devices, becoming the first state to restrict the popular chatbot in such a manner. The governor also prohibited popular Chinese-owned social media apps Xiaohongshu, or what some are calling RedNote, and Lemon8 from all state-issued devices. “Texas will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate our …

TikTok's woes in the United States highlight the 'Godfather' battle to control social media
1 month, 3 weeks ago

TikTok's woes in the United States highlight the 'Godfather' battle to control social media

ABC  

Social media users and content creators should be able to ditch and switch platforms without losing their followers, renegade economist Yanis Varoufakis argues. "There is fierce competition across social media from the likes of TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, SnapChat, Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and many others," they argue. " Sydney TikTok influencer and self-professed "salad lady" Fidan Shevket started cross-posting her …

Texas governor orders ban on DeepSeek, RedNote for government devices
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Texas governor orders ban on DeepSeek, RedNote for government devices

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott issued a ban on Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek for government-issued devices, becoming the first state to restrict the popular chatbot in such a manner. The governor also prohibited popular Chinese-owned social media apps Xiaohongshu, or what some are calling RedNote, and Lemon8 from all state-issued devices. “Texas will not allow the …

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