Like many users, I feel the effect of the ban on ByteDance apps personally. Although not strictly enforced, Apple and Google have removed these apps from their stores, barring many from reinstalling on their devices. ByteDance, developer of the world-renowned app TikTok among others, has seen a sudden ban which impacts millions of consumers worldwide.

Mandating companies to ban the apps before the sale completion ignores consumers' needs. Apple and Google, with an astonishing combined market share of 99% in the global smartphone market (Statista, 2020), hold the power to influence consumers' digital accessibility. The leverage they possess needs to be applied responsibly.

These apps offer a much-needed distraction for many in these challenging times as well as serve as a platform of expression for countless content creators. In 2020, TikTok was the most downloaded app on the Apple App Store (Sensor Tower, 2020), illustrating its significance among consumers.

By signing this petition, you are calling on Apple and Google to uphold their commitment to facilitating digital inclusivity by reinstating ByteDance apps in their stores, allowing millions of consumers worldwide to regain their connectivity and freedom to express. Please, sign and share this petition.