The social network TikTok is once again available in the Apple and Google Play app stores in the United States, following US President Donald Trump's decision to postpone the ban on the Chinese-owned platform until April 5.
The popular app has over 170 million users in the US. President Trump had signed an executive order to extend the ban on TikTok for 75 days until the app's version is purchased by American owners, reports the BBC.
The decision to ban TikTok was passed in Congress by consensus of lawmakers from both parties, and signed into law by former US President Joe Biden. According to the decision, the Chinese company ByteDance, which owned TikTok, was obliged to sell the rights to the US version of the app to a neutral party if it wanted to avoid the ban.
The Biden administration had argued that TikTok was being used by China as a tool for espionage and political manipulation.
China has repeatedly denied the allegations. Beijing has also rejected calls to sell TikTok to US operators.
When the app started working again in the US last month, a message was sent to its millions of users thanking President Trump.
also
TikTok finalizes deal that avoids US ban
TikTok CEO Shou Chew met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago after his election victory in November and later attended the US president's inauguration ceremony.
Trump has said he wants to find a compromise with the Chinese company that complies with the spirit rather than the letter of the law, even floating the idea of TikTok having joint ownership.