[On a different note, ByteDance’s other apps, including video editor CapCut and social platform Lemon8, were also removed from US app stores. And as TikTok went offline, rival Chinese app RedNote emerged as the most downloaded free app on Apple’s App Store, with millions of Americans adopting the “#tiktokrefugee” hashtag as they switched platforms].
The law passed by Congress last year had given TikTok's Chinese parent company ByteDance until January 19 to divest from TikTok or be cut off from the Apple or Google Play stores as well as hosting services.
TikTok said a sale wasn't possible and challenged the law in court, but it was rejected by a unanimous Supreme Court on Friday.
On the same day, he had claimed he spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about TikTok. A Chinese summary of the call did not mention that it was a topic of discussion.
On Sunday, Trump posted on social media that he would restore TikTok, first writing "SAVE TIKTOK" and then vowing to issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time – it's only a reprieve! – before the law takes effect. Further, he said there would be no liability for companies that helped keep TikTok from going dark before the order went into effect.
In the meantime, TikTok said Sunday that it was in the process of reinstating access after Trump vowed to try to pause the ban by executive order on his first day in office.
TikTok CEO Chew Shou Zi expressed gratitude to Trump earlier in the week, thanking him for his efforts to keep the app accessible to approximately 170 million users in the US. And CNN reported, citing anonymous sources, that Chew planned to attend both Trump’s victory rally on Sunday and his inauguration today.
Surely, this must tell us something. I betcha Chew groveled at Trump's feet and sucking up to him.
Anyway, according to a post on his social media platform, Trump said he would seek US acquisition of a 50% stake in TikTok through a joint venture.
The TikTok story continues.
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