Despite its undisputed success, TikTok is controversial in many parts of the world. Some countries have implemented bans on TikTok, while others have tried to block it or introduced temporary restrictions. So where is TikTok banned? Here's what you need to know:
Where is TikTok currently banned?
Although not completely banned in Russia, its status is tenuous. As The Guardian reported in March 2022, TikTok only allowed Russian content to be posted domestically.
However, in other countries, this controversial app is completely banned. Here we will introduce some of them.
1. India
Indian authorities cracked down on Chinese apps in 2020, banning more than 50 apps, including TikTok, in the summer of the same year.
India chose to ban the Chinese app citing concerns related to TikTok and national security. TikTok was extremely popular in the country before it was blocked, with over 200 million users.
TikTok's ban in India is permanent and the company has withdrawn from the market.
2. Afghanistan
The Taliban took control of Afghanistan in summer 2021 and ordered a ban on TikTok in early 2022.
As mentioned in an article published by the BBC, the Taliban said it aimed to “prevent the younger generation from being misunderstood.” As of January 2023, this ban has not yet been enforced, and no one knows if it will become permanent.
4. Montana (pending)
In 2020, former President Donald Trump unsuccessfully tried to impose a nationwide ban on TikTok. But since then, Montana has become the first state in the country to ban the app.
Gov. Greg Gianforte argued that allowing TikTok would put residents' sensitive data at risk of falling into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party, NPR reported. A challenge to the bill is likely, but if it fails, the ban would begin in January 2024, including removing TikTok from the App Store and Google Play.
5. Somalia
Somalia banned TikTok in 2023, with authorities claiming that “terrorist and immoral groups” were using the app to “spread horrific content and misinformation to the population.”
This move was met with significant backlash. Many Somalis claimed to rely on TikTok to make money. In addition to TikTok, the Somali government also banned Telegram.
6. Kyrgyzstan
The list of countries banning TikTok also includes Kyrgyzstan, which banned the app in 2023. It argued that the main reason was to protect the mental health of young people, and that some of the challenges on TikTok could put lives at risk.
7. Jordan
Jordan banned TikTok in December 2022 following the death of a police officer during protests against soaring oil prices. Although this ban is expected to be only temporary, it will still be in place as of October 2023.
8. Iran
Like many other social media and entertainment apps, TikTok is completely banned in Iran. The Iranian government claims TikTok does not comply with the country's regulations and users cannot download the app to their devices.
Which countries have banned TikTok in the past?
In addition to India's seemingly irreversible ban and Afghanistan's plan to restrict ByteDance-owned apps, several countries have banned TikTok in the past. However, many have since reversed that decision.
Below are some of the countries that previously banned TikTok but have since allowed users to regain access to the app.
1. Pakistan
Pakistan's relationship with TikTok has never been simple. The country's authorities banned the app at least four times between October 2020 and November 2021.
The first ban, which took place in October 2020, lasted for 10 days and was due to content deemed inappropriate. In March 2021, the app was banned again. This time he has until April.
Two months later, TikTok was banned again in Pakistan. However, this period lasted only three days.
The fourth ban occurred in July 2021 and lasted approximately four months. But in 2022, things have become smoother for TikTok in Pakistan.
2. Bangladesh
Bangladesh is another country where TikTok has had trouble before. Access to the app was restricted in November 2018, but content was made available to users again in 2020.
However, this was not the last time TikTok clashed with Bangladeshi authorities. In summer 2021, a court in the country ordered the app, along with several other apps, to be banned again for three months.
3. Indonesia
Indonesia is another country that has banned TikTok in the past. In July 2018, the country's authorities decided to restrict user access to the app due to the content on the platform. The government said users had access to pornography and other inappropriate forms of content.
TikTok's ban in Indonesia lasted just over a week. Removing the offending content allowed it to start working again.
However, in 2023, Indonesian authorities announced that social media apps will have to remove e-commerce functionality from their apps in the country. As a result, TikTok was withdrawn from the market in October 2023.
Is TikTok banned in China?
TikTok's parent company ByteDance is headquartered in Beijing. But despite this, TikTok does not operate in China.
Instead, domestic users can download an app called Douyin. This app is similar to TikTok, but cannot be downloaded outside of China.
Where are government employees prohibited from downloading TikTok?
Some jurisdictions have announced outright bans on TikTok for the general population, and many government officials are also not allowed to use the app.
1.EU
The EU has argued that member states should prevent government officials from downloading TikTok for several reasons, including cybersecurity concerns. Additionally, if you are a member of the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, or the European Parliament, you cannot download the app to your device.
Even if you're not a government official, you might want to know how much TikTok actually knows about you. This will allow you to decide whether you want to continue using the app.
2.NATO
In 2023, NATO banned its personnel from using TikTok on work devices. As in the EU, security was the main reason for this decision.
3. Norway
Norway will ban government ministers and officials from using TikTok on work devices in 2023, and the Norwegian parliament has similar restrictions for employees. The ban also applies to all employees with access to the country's government systems.
4. Denmark
Denmark is another country that has announced a ban on TikTok for certain employees. The country's Ministry of Defense has notified employees that they can no longer use the app on their work phones for cybersecurity purposes.
5. Canada
Canada announced a ban on TikTok on government devices in late February 2023. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that may be the only measure needed, but that he could take further steps if he felt they were needed.
6. United States
Many U.S. states and municipalities have banned TikTok on government devices, including New York City. Federal employees and contractors are also not allowed to use the app, and this applies to both work and personal devices.
If you want to understand more about the negative effects of TikTok, consider reading this guide on why TikTok can be bad for you.
Other countries that have banned TikTok for government officials
In addition to the countries already mentioned, government officials in several other countries have also placed restrictions on access to TikTok. These include:
- Australia
- new zealand
- Taiwan
- England
- France
- Austria
- latvia
- Belgium
- Netherlands
- estonia
- republic of ireland
Several countries introduce TikTok bans
TikTok's time in the spotlight has not been without controversy, with several countries blocking the app in the past. Concerns about user privacy are growing in many countries, with some even questioning the content available on the platform.
Will TikTok be banned elsewhere? We'll have to wait and see. However, in many countries this app has probably been around for a long time and is becoming more and more popular.
