TikTok announced through Reuters that it established a custom Android installation package for US users to obtain the app without using the Google Play Store since the US imposed its partial ban on January 19.
TikTok Bypasses US Ban, Lets Android Users Download App Directly
Users can access the short video application by downloading its package from the official TikTok website for connection. Companies view such installation methods as unsafe but specifically tolerate similar practices by TikTok.
COVID-19 regulation prohibiting TikTok use has led eBay sellers to place second-hand smartphones with TikTok installed on them for sale as new users cannot download the app through Apple App Store or Google Play.
Mobile phone prices varied between hundreds and thousands of dollars but some sellers showed their optimism by requesting between one million and several million. Google trends indicate that "TikTok phone" turned out 27 thousand lookup events on the eBay platform.
US President Donald Trump issued an executive order to delay the Chinese app ban for 75 days after he took office while stressing his negotiations with various potential buyers regarding the TikTok platform.
ByteDance which operates TikTok stated that American officials have provided misleading information about its Chinese connections because all servers as well as user data reside on Oracle systems located within US territory.
The company maintained dissatisfaction toward American officials because of their modifications without its consent as well as their perceived distortion of China relations.
Free speech activists condemn the ban since it singles out TikTok for prohibition when different foreign-owned platforms continue to function in America.
US security agencies with lawmakers express concern about ByteDance data security after Beijing still holds control of the company, while TikTok insists its operations remain independent from China with strong user information protection systems in place.
