Whether TikTok stays with Perplexity AI's backing or goes, without that juicy algorithm ByteDance doesn’t seem willing to part with, the app won't ever be the same.

Perplexity's plan would allow the U.S. to own up to half of the new entity once it makes an initial offering of at least $300 billion.

During the outage, even users who had previously downloaded TikTok were unable to access the app. While service has since been restored, the app remains unavailable for download in U.S.-based app stores, leaving new users unable to access it.

The future of TikTok in the United States is still uncertain, following it going weekend. Part of his first day back in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order postponing the ban by 75 days.

TikTok was briefly suspended on January 19. It was, however, restored the following day. Despite this, people are still unable to download the app. Anybody attempting to upgrade or download the app within the last week has encountered app stores not allowing them to do so.

TikTok, which faces the ticking clock of a ban enforcement, is being pursued by several suitors for a US merger or sale.

The latest plan for a TikTok buyout, by Perplexity AI, would give the U.S. government up to a 50% stake in the company’s domestic business.

Why Was TikTok Banned? Congress voted to ban TikTok in the U.S., citing concerns that the platform's ownership structure posed a security risk. The Biden administration spent mont