In a significant move, TikTok faces a formidable challenge in the United States, as an act designates it as a foreign adversary, compelling the app to either sell its platform to a US company or buyer by January 18th. Apple has responded to this directive by banning TikTok on its platform until further notice. This ban has far-reaching implications, affecting not only those who have recently acquired new iPhones but also users who have reset or restored their devices. The prohibition extends to all newly-bought iPhones recently picked up from Apple or delivered by the company.
Consequently, iPhone users across the United States find themselves unable to download or use TikTok, as the app has been shut down within the country to comply with the ban. This development has prompted widespread protests, with many users turning to alternative platforms after TikTok's shutdown. Previously, an executive order signed by then-President-elect Trump allowed TikTok to continue its operations in the US, delaying the ban. However, service providers have not yet reinstated TikTok on their devices, maintaining the current restriction.
The ban predominantly impacts new, newly-serviced, reset, or restored iPhones in the United States. This action follows a previous prohibition preventing Apple, Google, and other distributors from offering TikTok on their platforms. The implications of this ban are not limited to technological disruptions; there may still be legal consequences for service providers, potentially resulting in fines amounting to billions of dollars.
