[Andaith]

Apple is breaking the law. Clearly defined by Congress, and upheld by the Supreme Court. Just because the president said "Yeah no worries".

I feel like this is a huge risk for Apple. The president can change his mind, you can have a new president, Congress or the supreme court could decide they actually wanted that law enforced.

Also, If it comes out that sensitive data was exfiltrated from the US via tiktok, or whatever natsec concern saw it banned realizes, then Apple's position is suddenly even worse because the president can say "Apples clearly breaking the law! Lets throw the book at them".

I don't understand the risk/reward calculations Apple did that came up with this decision.

[0x5f3759df-i]

I imagine the calculation was “people are not buying new iPhones because they can’t get TikTok on their new phone”

[getpost]

Unlikely. The thinking is, "If we antagonize Trump, tariffs will make our products too expensive."

[youniverse]

One thing I'll add is that lots of kids deleted tiktok when the servers went offline for a bit right when the ban happened. Now they regret it and maybe Apple got wind of this perhaps.

I personally was asked to help a young girl who would cry all day because she lost the app and it was her salvation due to her unique circumstance.

Was interesting for me to learn after asking some middle/high schoolers how important the app is for them emotionally/personally/culturally/etc.

[sirl1on]

That sounds like a lot like an addiction.

Maybe we need to create "Methadone apps" to help people slowly get off the Pavlovian dopamine machine?

[jajko]

Its is addiction, plain and simple, whole app is designed to be so by psychology experts. Same goes for all Meta products for same goal of course, no need to bash tiktok specifically, its all brain or more like soul cancer destroying a bit young generation and they dont even know any better. A bit, more than a bit a collective and specific parenting failure too.

Ever dealth with proper addict? They live in their own world where all is good, normal and justified. Similar here. In addicts communities, 'normal' bar is set very low but from inside its day as usual.

Now I dont claim there can be no good happening, ie those 'special circumstances' really sound like it, but it would sound way better if some proper child psychologist was there, instead of anonymous communities who may (eventually will like elsewhere) turn toxic and beyond, with consequences.

[sunnybeetroot]

Couldn’t they download it from the past purchases?

[foogazi]

The US government has kompromat on them now

[mtmickush]

Congress and the Supreme Court already decided they wanted the law enforced. It's up to the executive branch to enforce it and if they decide not to there isn't much the others can do.

[kelnos]

There are certainly things that can be done, but the executive can of course escalate their disobedience. If this ends up in court (though I'm not sure who has standing to sue), the courts could order the executive branch to enforce the law. If they don't comply, the courts can find specific people responsible for enforcing the law in contempt of court, and jail them. Of course, they need some appropriate law enforcement agency to arrest them, and there may not be one with jurisdiction that is willing to go against Trump.

Ultimately Congress can impeach and convict Trump and Vance if their shenanigans go too far for even their tastes, but I doubt that will ever happen. (And even then, we'll get Mike Johnson as president, which is not really an improvement.)

[insane_dreamer]

I’m sure Apple has done the math and calculated where the true power lies.

[roncesvalles]

More than that, let's say the following sequence of events happen:

1. This whole situation with Trump flouting every Congress-passed law under the sun becomes understood by the general public as what it is: a coup.

2. There is massive (and effective) backlash, in whatever form that may be.

3. Now the next administration wants 100% justice for everyone who aided and abetted in the coup, no exceptions whatsoever. Apple, Google, Oracle, and Akamai will be asked to pay the fines they owe even if it threatens their existence.

It is astounding that Apple is just fine with this kind of tail risk for... no gain at all? Apple stock should have nosedived after the decision to re-allow TikTok downloads. It makes them liable for something like $5k per download.

[labster]

You missed the risk that by following the law, the Trump administration could and likely would put sanctions on Apple for opposing free speech. It’s a huge business risk to oppose Trump just to follow the law, maybe an existential risk.