TikTok to Offer Direct Android App Downloads in the U.S. Amid Restrictions
On Friday, TikTok announced it will allow U.S. Android users to download the app directly via package kits from its website, bypassing restrictions on the platform in the country. This move comes as Apple and Google have yet to reinstate TikTok to their app stores since a U.S. law took effect on January 19. The law requires TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to either sell the app or face a potential ban on national security grounds.
Former President Donald Trump, who signed an executive order seeking a 75-day delay in enforcement, had been in talks about a potential sale of TikTok. The company boasts around 170 million American users. Trump also signed an executive order on Monday that included plans for the creation of a sovereign wealth fund, which could play a role in purchasing TikTok.
U.S. officials have raised concerns over the potential misuse of American user data under ByteDance's ownership. However, TikTok has disputed claims about its connections to China, asserting that its content recommendation algorithms and user data are stored on U.S. cloud servers operated by Oracle, and that content moderation for American users is handled in the U.S.
Despite concerns, free speech advocates have opposed the ban, which was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden.