TikTok Ban: in Which Countries is the App Banned and Why?
Many of the platform’s one billion active users around the world are wondering whether TikTok will be banned, and in which countries. This network for sharing short videos, particularly popular with young people, is being banned in several countries for issues relating to national security, data protection and cultural influence.From India to the United States, Afghanistan and several European nations, the Chinese application ByteDance is perceived as a potential threat. In this article, École Galilée, which supports children and teenagers in their relationship with digital technology and digital culture, provides you with a list of countries that have banned TikTok, the reasons behind these decisions and the alternatives that are emerging due to these restrictions.
List of Countries that Have Banned TikTok
India: a Definitive Ban Since 2020
In June 2020, India became the first country to ban TikTok. This decision, motivated by geopolitical tensions with China, was designed to protect the country’s digital sovereignty. To justify its decision, the Indian government cited concerns regarding cybersecurity and the collection of sensitive data.
Since TikTok was banned in India, the app is no longer available on Indian download platforms, and millions of users have had to turn to local alternatives such as Chingari and Moj.
Pakistan: a Series of Temporary Bans
Pakistan has also banned TikTok on several occasions since October 2020, believing that the app disseminates immoral and indecent content. However, these bans have often been lifted following in-depth discussions between TikTok and the local authorities.Following this series of bans, TikTok had to strengthen its moderation systems in an attempt to comply with local requirements. In particular, the application has introduced specific filtering algorithms and increased its content monitoring teams in order to respond as effectively as possible to government requests.
Afghanistan: a Total Ban in 2022
After the Taliban came to power, the Afghan government banned TikTok in April 2022. In a context where the media are strictly controlled, those in charge believe that its influence on young Afghans is harmful and that its content is incompatible with local culture.
Jordan: a Political Stalemate
In December 2022, Jordan also decided to block TikTok in order to prevent an increase in political tensions in the country. This ban was initially intended to limit the spread of sensitive information.
The Jordanian government justified this measure by claiming that certain videos circulating on TikTok had fuelled social tensions and provoked outbursts during anti-government demonstrations.
Nepal: a Ban in 2023 to Preserve Social Harmony
In November 2023, Nepal also banned access to the platform on the grounds that it compromised social harmony. According to the authorities, this decision followed an increase in content inciting hatred and misinformation.
The ban was lifted in August 2024, but the Nepalese government has been closely monitoring social platforms to ensure that none of them reproduce the same effects ever since.
United States: a Potential Ban in 2025
The United States, meanwhile, passed a law banning TikTok. This ban will take effect if ByteDance – the Chinese company that owns the application – refuses to sell its shares to an American company. This ban, which takes effect at the beginning of 2025, is based primarily on concerns for national security and the protection of personal data.
The US government fears that China could access users’ information and use the application for espionage purposes. TikTok is currently trying to negotiate solutions to avoid this ban, in particular by transferring all the data collected in the United States to American servers under strict surveillance.
Albania: Ban Announced for 2025
Albania also plans to block TikTok for at least a year from the beginning of 2025. The government justifies this decision by an upsurge in acts of violence among young people, which it attributes mainly to the content broadcast on the platform.
Public Sector Ban
In some countries, the TikTok ban applies only to the work devices of civil servants, due to cybersecurity risks. The countries where TikTok is banned only in the public sector are as follows:
- France: ban on civil servants’ business phones from March 2023.
- Belgium: ban on government aircraft since March 2023.
- New Zealand: ban for members of the government.
- Netherlands: restrictions on business phones for civil servants.
- United Kingdom: ban for government employees.
- European Union: restrictions within the European Commission and the European Parliament.
Alternatives to TikTok in Countries Under a Ban
In response to the bans, several alternatives to TikTok have emerged:
- Instagram Reels: popular content creation service enabling creators to continue producing short videos.
- YouTube Shorts: developed by Google, this platform is a popular option for sharing content similar to TikTok.
- Triller: American application with access to advanced editing functions.
- Likee: Asian competitor with similar effects and filters to TikTok.
- Chingari (India): local solution developed after TikTok was banned in India.
These services, whose popularity increased after TikTok was banned in some countries, have established themselves as serious alternatives. This is particularly the case in India, where local applications have grown rapidly.
What About France?
In March 2023, France banned the use of TikTok on the work phones of civil servants. This measure, justified by cybersecurity concerns, is primarily to protect government data. However, no ban has yet been imposed on the general public.
New Caledonia, a French overseas territory, temporarily restricted access to TikTok in May 2024 due to social tensions. Access has since been restored.
To date, the ban on TikTok in France applies only to the public sector.
TikTok has been banned in several countries for reasons that vary according to the motivations of their governments. Some countries, such as India and the United States, justify their decision on the grounds of cybersecurity and espionage risks. Others, such as Albania and Jordan, cite problems of violence and misinformation.
The regulation of social platforms and the protection of personal data will likely continue to evolve in the years to come. And future decisions made by governments could have a significant impact on the use of social media worldwide. In this context, École Galilée plays a key role in raising awareness for good digital practices and online safety issues in young people.