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Apple Updates TestFlight to Block Access to TikTok Beta in U.S.

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Apple tonight updated its beta testing app TestFlight, seemingly to block U.S. users from accessing the TikTok beta on the iPhone and other devices.

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The update adds this fine print to the app, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris:

Apple may use the IP address of your internet connection to approximate your location in order to determine whether certain beta apps that are subject to legal restrictions in some regions can be made available to you.

This development comes after Apple removed TikTok from the App Store in the U.S. earlier tonight. In the U.S., a law banning TikTok unless Chinese company ByteDance divests ownership of the platform takes effect Sunday, January 19. The app is "temporarily unavailable" in the U.S., according to an in-app notice being shown to users tonight.

More details about the ban and what comes next are outlined in our earlier report.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Tags: TestFlight, TikTok

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Top Rated Comments

L
Lounge vibes 05
17 months ago

I do have to say one thing, Apple sure is quick to lick the boots. That's a bit unsettling.
Of course, according to the original article if they refuse to comply they may have to pay *billions* in fines.
They certainly aren’t going to risk that for one app, and neither will Google, which is why it’s also gone from the play store as well.
And every other US application retailer.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Analog Kid Avatar
Analog Kid
17 months ago

I do have to say one thing, Apple sure is quick to lick the boots. That's a bit unsettling.
Lick the boots? You mean comply with the law?

I think the law is stupid and misguided but it's been upheld through every court up through the Supreme Court. ByteDance has already turned off the service, so there's no content for the app to display. What part of complying by ending new downloads of an app that has no content to display qualifies as "licking the boots"?
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Z
Zest28
17 months ago

I do have to say one thing, Apple sure is quick to lick the boots. That's a bit unsettling.
I guess I'm "licking the boots" too as I don't break any laws.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T
Takeo Apple
17 months ago

I do have to say one thing, Apple sure is quick to lick the boots. That's a bit unsettling.
glad you are not in charge of managing the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of people and trillions of dollars over an app. Maybe you should launch a TikTok alternative if you think it is worth any legal trouble lol.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T
Takeo Apple
17 months ago

It's even on the front page of my App Store. I better installed it, maybe it's worth much money soon. 🙃


dude this is not flappy bird which does not need a connection to the internet - this won't be worth ********. Just like Fortnite on iOS isn't worth anything.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
F
foobarbaz
17 months ago

I do have to say one thing, Apple sure is quick to lick the boots. That's a bit unsettling.
Whose boots? This is a law that was signed by Biden and Trump is actually against it. Following a law is not appeasing Trump, and certainly not this specific law.

Your statement might be true in general, but this is not an example of it.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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