Apple users in the US can no longer download ByteDance's Chinese apps

"Starting in late January, iPhone users in the US with Chinese App Store accounts began reporting that they were encountering new obstacles when they tried to download apps developed by ByteDance. WIRED has confirmed that even with a valid Chinese App Store account, downloading or updating a ByteDance-owned Chinese app is blocked on Apple devices located in the United States."

"The restriction appears to apply only to ByteDance-owned apps and not those developed by other Chinese companies. The timing and technical specifics suggest the restriction is related to the deal TikTok agreed to in January to divest Chinese ownership of its US operations."

"The agreement was the result of the so-called TikTok ban law passed by Congress in 2024, which also barred companies like Apple and Google from distributing other apps majority-owned by ByteDance. The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act states that no company can distribute, maintain, or update"

Apple has deployed technical restrictions preventing iPhone users in the United States from downloading apps owned by ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, even when using valid Chinese App Store accounts. Starting in late January, US-based iPhone users attempting to download or update ByteDance apps encounter a message stating the app is unavailable in their region. This restriction applies specifically to ByteDance-owned applications and not other Chinese company apps. The timing aligns with TikTok's January divestment deal and the 2024 Congressional TikTok ban law, which prohibits companies like Apple and Google from distributing apps majority-owned by ByteDance. Neither Apple, ByteDance, nor TikTok's new US operating entity provided comment on the restriction.

Read at Ars Technica