The way to get around a TikTok ban is by using a VPN. VPN stands for virtual private network. VPNs have servers in many different countries. They make it look like you are in another country.
- VPN Functionality: VPNs work by redirecting internet traffic through servers in different countries, making it appear as if the user is accessing the internet from a location where TikTok is not banned.
- TikTok Ban Context: TikTok is set to be removed from app stores in the U.S. due to a law requiring its sale or ban, effective Sunday. This means new downloads will be blocked, and existing users might not be able to use the app if it stops functioning.
- VPN Usage Surge: There’s historical precedent for VPN usage spikes when platforms are restricted, such as during the Indian TikTok ban in 2020 or in China with its internet firewall. This indicates that VPNs could see increased demand if TikTok is banned.
- VPN Market: The VPN market was valued at nearly $38 billion in 2022, with providers like ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN highlighting potential increases in demand due to the TikTok situation.
- Pricing and Privacy: VPNs generally charge a monthly fee, with services like ExpressVPN at $5/month and ProtonVPN at $10/month. Some VPNs collect user data as part of their business model.
- Effectiveness and Risks: While VPNs have historically allowed access to banned apps, there’s no guarantee they will work against a TikTok ban. TikTok might develop countermeasures to detect and block VPN use. Additionally, VPN usage can lead to slower internet speeds due to the routing through additional servers.
- Global Trends: Government takedown requests for apps are increasing, not just in China but globally, for reasons including national security or economic policies. This global context underscores the growing importance of VPNs in maintaining internet freedom.
- Potential Impact: With TikTok having around 115 million U.S. users, the impact of a ban and subsequent reliance on VPNs could be significant, potentially driving more users to VPNs for continued access.
Source: How VPNs might allow Americans to continue using TikTok – NBC New York
Which VPN company should you use to access TikTok?
In the absence of any other information, just go with one of the popular VPN companies: NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark or ProtonVPN. They are known to work well for accessing Netflix from around the world and will work well for accessing TikTok. But in the case of TikTok, just about any VPN provider should work unless TikTok starts blocking US users.
Here is a little more information on those VPN companies:
- Plan costs: NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and ProtonVPN.
- Server lists: NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and ProtonVPN.
See other blog posts about VPNs here.
TikTok might start blocking U.S. users for several reasons, primarily based on legislative actions and security concerns:
- Legislative Mandate for Ban or Sale:
- Legal Requirement: In April 2024, President Joe Biden signed a law that requires ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to sell TikTok to a non-Chinese entity by January 19, 2025, or face a ban in the U.S.. If ByteDance fails to divest, TikTok would be legally obligated to cease operations in the U.S., leading to the blocking of U.S. users.
- National Security Concerns:
- Data Privacy and Security: There are widespread concerns among U.S. lawmakers and officials that TikTok could be used by the Chinese government to harvest data from U.S. users or manipulate content feeds to influence American public opinion. This has been a significant driver behind the push for a ban or divestiture..
- Failure to Meet Compliance Standards:
- Project Texas and Data Security: Although TikTok has attempted to address these concerns through initiatives like “Project Texas”, which aimed to store U.S. user data on American servers, there remain doubts about the efficacy of these measures, particularly regarding control over TikTok’s algorithms and source code. The U.S. government might see blocking as necessary if these efforts are deemed insufficient.
- Political and Legal Pressure:
- Court Decisions: If the Supreme Court upholds the ban and there’s no last-minute intervention or sale, TikTok would have no choice but to comply with the law by blocking access. Even though President-elect Donald Trump has shown interest in resolving the issue politically, the immediate legal framework might force TikTok’s hand before any such resolution..
- Operational Strategy:
- Preemptive Action: TikTok might decide to preemptively block U.S. users to comply with the law or to negotiate better terms for a divestiture or to maintain control over its exit strategy from the U.S. market. This could be part of a broader strategy to manage the fallout, public perception, and possibly influence political or legal outcomes.
- Global Precedent and Compliance:
- Following Global Trends: Countries like India, Nepal, and others have banned TikTok for various reasons including national security and public order. If TikTok decides to block U.S. users, it might also be following a precedent set by these actions, adjusting to global compliance standards where government bans are concerned.
TikTok’s decision to block U.S. users would likely be a direct response to legal and political pressures, aiming to comply with U.S. law while potentially attempting to navigate or mitigate the broader implications of such a ban.