According to Gurman, Apple "prefers not to associate its brand" with TikTok.

      Digital Trends may earn a commission if you make a purchase through links on our site. Why should you trust us?

      After Trump's recent 75-day extension of the TikTok ban, the video-sharing app is once again at the center of intense speculation and debate. Nevertheless, Apple analyst Mark Gurman asserts that the company has no plans to buy or invest in TikTok. Potential bidders include Oracle, AppLovin, and even internet celebrity Mr. Beast. The notion that Apple might get involved was previously discussed in TikTok's early days, but it was purely speculative.

      "There is no clear scenario in which Apple would get involved in TikTok, whether that’s through an investment, full acquisition, or anything else,” Gurman states in his Power On! newsletter. “Apple would prefer not to associate its brand with a controversial social media platform.” The company has already drawn media attention regarding potential significant price increases due to recent tariffs, and it seems keen to avoid any additional scrutiny from the press.

      TikTok has largely become a subject of political discourse, but Gurman believes that's not enough to entice Apple into involvement. “Of course, reaching a deal favored by Trump might strengthen ties with the current administration, and owning TikTok could certainly attract more teens to the Apple platform. But — no — that won’t happen, so cross it off your wishlist if it’s there at all. The closest Apple will get to TikTok is allowing it on its App Store.”

      While TikTok is arguably one of the most prominent social media platforms online, other services have started to ready themselves for its potential exit. Substack recently introduced a scrollable, TikTok-like video feed, and alternatives such as RedNote are still around, although their popularity has declined since TikTok returned to domestic app stores.

      Patrick Hearn writes about smart home technology, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart light bulbs, and more.

      If TikTok were to shut down this Sunday, here’s what could happen:

      TikTok has dealt with its share of controversies over the years, and the ongoing legal case in the U.S. Supreme Court could determine its future in this country. Initially, a TikTok ban would have meant that users could not download the app, but existing users would still have had the ability to watch and upload content for a limited time. Now, a new report indicates that the app might completely cease operation this Sunday, leaving users in a lurch.

      A recent study highlighted that most children use TikTok in breach of the platform’s age restrictions and suffer as a result. TikTok is in an ongoing critical battle in the U.S. Supreme Court, and thus far, it appears the company’s arguments may not be sufficient to avoid a ban in the country. The discussions have largely revolved around national security and free speech concerns, but there is an additional factor that could harm the social media giant. Recent research from the University of California San Francisco indicates that a significant number of children are using TikTok contrary to the platform’s age guidelines, with many 11- and 12-year-olds displaying signs of addiction and concealing their social profiles from their parents.

      While TikTok’s dedicated STEM feed is a positive step, it fails to tackle the app’s most significant challenges. TikTok has revealed plans to launch a specific feed featuring STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) content, which the company describes as a destination for those wanting to explore these enriching topics in more depth. The social media giant emphasizes that this feed will assist young learners in finding valuable content. To ensure that the information featured in the STEM section is both accurate and trustworthy, the company is also reinforcing its collaboration with Poynter and Common Sense Network.