Despite the new US President’s order not to prosecute those who violate the TikTok ban in the United States, Apple and Google are avoiding reinstating TikTok on their app stores. A US legal expert explains this with the significant legal risks that companies could take despite the executive order.
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The TikTok Act (PAFACAA), ratified by the Supreme Court shortly before Donald Trump’s inauguration, prevents US companies from hosting TikTok or offering it in their app stores. Violations carry a fine of $5,000 per user. Apart from Apple and Google, American tech companies Oracle and Akamai also stopped hosting services for TikTok.
just a clear turn
With the signing of a decree by US President Trump, this issue has taken a new direction. Trump favors restoring services and wants to find a long-term solution during the transition period, which would include a sale to an American company. However, he cannot single-handedly strike down the law but can only stop the prosecution for 75 days.
While TikTok resumed operations for existing users after Oracle and Akamai made it possible again, Apple and Google have committed to no longer offering the app. And apparently for good reason: according to one expert, the moratorium by order of the US President is based on clay.
Former legal advisor to the US Department of Justice Alan Rosenstein explains in an expert article, Promises not to be implemented often do not hold up in court. Furthermore, there is actually a violation being committed that only expires after five years. As a result, businesses may face headwinds with a change in government or even with the current government. And Trump can rescind his executive order at any time before the 75-day deadline expires.
have significant penalties
Given the number of US users at 170 million, a per user fine would potentially threaten the companies’ existence or at least create a significant hole in their coffers. In this backdrop, observers do not believe that TikTok will return to the App Store and Play Store until a legally compliant solution is found.
(MKI)
