Apple and Google Remove TikTok from US App Stores Amid New Law [Video]

TikTok is officially unavailable in the US as Apple and Google removed the app from their mobile stores following a new law targeting national security concerns. The law, effective Sunday, comes after the social media giant’s legal efforts to block it failed.

TikTok preemptively suspended its services for US users, taking its platform offline just hours before the removal. Apple stated it must comply with laws in jurisdictions where it operates. Google has yet to comment on the matter.

The legislation, signed by President Joe Biden in April, mandates TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance Ltd., to sell its US operations or face a complete shutdown. ByteDance refused to comply, triggering the enforcement of the ban. The law requires companies hosting or distributing TikTok to cease their involvement or risk hefty fines.

The law does not specifically name companies but prohibits entities, including app stores and hosting services, from enabling TikTok’s …