TikTok app is banned in US: Which other countries have banned the app?

Millions of users across the United States are anxious about the potential shutdown of TikTok on Sunday. If the platform does cease operations, the U.S. won’t be the first nation to prohibit the app.

With just a few days remaining before legislation banning TikTok in the U.S. took effect, the app's future hung in the balance. Reports suggested that its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, might decide to terminate operations entirely by Sunday.

The U.S. Supreme Court was anticipated to rule this week on whether to uphold a law requiring a ban on new TikTok downloads from Apple or Google platforms unless ByteDance divested from the app by January 19.

The court has not decided, leaving the app at risk of being banned starting Sunday. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump, who will assume office on January 20, is reportedly exploring options to delay the app’s potential shutdown.

TikTok is a highly popular short-form video-sharing platform used by approximately 170 million people in the U.S. or nearly half the population.

However, lawmakers have raised concerns that the app could threaten national security, alleging that the Chinese government might require ByteDance to provide access to U.S. user data. TikTok has consistently refuted these claims, maintaining that it has never shared U.S. user information and would not do so.

If the ban proceeds, the United States will not be the only country to outlaw TikTok. Other nations have banned the app, and the reasons behind their decisions.

Banned Countries

1. TikTok app is banned in Afghanistan

   • Date of Ban: April 2022
   • Reason: The Taliban government banned TikTok, stating it was misleading the younger generation. 

2. TikTok app is banned in India

   • Date of Ban: June 2020
   • Reason: Amidst border clashes with China, India banned TikTok along with 58 other Chinese apps, citing national security concerns.
     

3. TikTok app is banned in Kyrgyzstan

   • Date of Ban: August 2023
   • Reason: Authorities banned TikTok, citing concerns about its effects on children's development.
     

4. TikTok app is banned in Somalia

   • Date of Ban: August 2023
   • Reason: The government banned TikTok to curb the spread of propaganda and indecent content.
     

5. TikTok app is banned in United States

   • Date of Ban: January 18, 2025
   • Reason: Following a law requiring ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations by January 19, 2025, TikTok was banned after the company failed to secure a sale.
     

Restricted or Heavily Regulated Countries

1. TikTok app is Restricted in China

   • Status: TikTok is not accessible; instead, the domestic version, Douyin, is available.
   • Reason: To comply with China's strict content regulations and censorship policies.

2. TikTok app is Restricted in Iran

   • Status: Access to TikTok is restricted due to both the platform's policies and Iranian censorship.
   • Reason: To control content deemed inappropriate or against Islamic values.

3. TikTok app is Restricted in Jordan

   • Date of Ban: December 2022
   • Reason: Following the death of a police officer during protests, Jordan imposed a temporary ban on TikTok to prevent the spread of unrest.
     

4. TikTok app is Restricted in Uzbekistan

   • Date of Restriction: July 2021
   • Reason: Access to TikTok was restricted due to violations of personal data legislation.
     

Additional Notes

• United States: The ban on TikTok marked a significant shift in the U.S. stance on internet freedom, reflecting growing concerns over data privacy and foreign influence.

• India: The ban led to a substantial reshaping of the social media landscape, with domestic apps and other international platforms filling the void left by TikTok.

These actions reflect a broader global trend of scrutinizing foreign-owned applications over security and content concerns.