Apple has publicly disclosed a support document in a unique move, enumerating all apps impacted by the recent TikTok removal in the U.S. This transparency is uncommon for the Cupertino-based tech behemoth that usually remains reserved about app restriction on its platforms.
In addition to TikTok, other ByteDance applications, such as CapCut, Lemon8, and Marvel Snap, have also faced the axe. These apps had experienced significant growth in previous months and were flourishing before this decisive step.
Apple, while making these revelations, emphasized their legal obligation to conform to such enforcements. They are bound by the law, specifically the ‘Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.’ Hence, all apps devised by ByteDance and its subsidiaries will henceforth remain unavailable for downloads or updates in the U.S. beginning January 19, 2025.
The policy also puts travelers in the U.S. in a tight spot who cannot either update the app or procure in-app purchases if their App Store is set to a non-U.S. region. The law passed recently responsible for banning TikTok and its sister apps, was upheld by the Supreme Court last week, pushing Apple and Google to enforce the block on January 19.
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