• by Wendy Davis  @wendyndavis, February 14, 2025

Apple and Google restored TikTok to their app stores late Thursday after reportedly receiving assurances that they wouldn't face fines for hosting the social app.

Both app marketplaces stopped allowing new downloads of TikTok last month, when the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (H.R. 7521) took effect.

That law, which came into effect January 19, prohibited app stores from hosting TikTok unless it separated from its China-based parent ByteDance. 

The statute also allows federal authorities to fine app stores $5,000 for each user who downloads the app. 

On January 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order delaying the ban for 75 days, and ordering the attorney general to state in writing that the Department of Justice would not attempt to enforce the law or impose fines during that 75-day period.

Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly said in recent letters to Apple and Google that the Department of Justice wouldn't attempt to fine them if they reinstated the app.

TikTok and users unsuccessfully challenged the ban in court, arguing that restricting a communications platform violated the First Amendment.

The Supreme Court rejected that argument last month, ruling unanimously that the ban is justified by national security concerns stemming from TikTok's ability to collect data about American users.