TikTok

A leader of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission said he has asked Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores over China-related data security concerns. The wildly popular short video app is owned by Chinese company ByteDance.

Brendan Carr, one of the FCC’s commissioners, shared via Twitter a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai. The letter pointed to reports and other developments that made TikTok non-compliant with the two companies’ app store policies. Carr’s letter, dated June 24 on FCC letterhead, said if the Apple and Alphabet do not remove TikTok from their app stores, they should provide statements to him by July 8.

TikTok is now introducing its Instagram competitor, TikTok Notes, to specific Android and iOS users in Australia and Canada. This rollout allows users to download the app and participate in limited testing. The announcement was made through a tweet, and the app is also listed on the App Store and Google Play, complete with official images showcasing its features for those who haven't accessed it yet.

The Senate approved legislation mandating that TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, divest itself of the app within 270 days or risk expulsion from the US market. The bill, previously passed by the House, received President Biden's signature.

Designated as a foreign adversary controlled application, TikTok must be sold to another entity within the specified timeframe. President Biden retains the authority to extend this deadline by up to 90 days if a sale is actively being pursued. This requirement extends to any subsequent applications similarly identified. Failure by ByteDance to comply with the sale mandate would result in the removal of TikTok from US app stores and a prohibition on internet hosting services facilitating its distribution. Violating entities would be subject to civil penalties.