As of September 2022, the Chinese video app TikTok has been banned in more than 15 countries. The app has been banned or restricted due to concerns about its data collection practices, content, and security.
TikTok is a 15-second video-sharing app that enables users to make and share videos on any topic. TikTok is an international version of Douyin, which was originally released in the Chinese market in September 2016. TikTok is the first app of its kind to be released globally and is currently available in over 150 markets.
The app is available in 38 languages. ByteDance, a Chinese firm started by Zhang Yiming in 2012, is the owner of TikTok.
TikTok has become one of the most downloaded apps in the world, with over 1 billion downloads. In 2018, TikTok was the most downloaded app in the world on the App Store and the second-most downloaded app on the Google Play Store.
The app has been criticized for its lack of content moderation, which has led to the spread of fake news, conspiracy theories, and other harmful content. However, TikTok has also been praised for its potential to promote creativity, storytelling, and self-expression.
However, due the different reasons and from time to time, TikTok was banned from multiple countries around the globe. Here we are listing the 15 Tiktok banned countries list along with the reason and time for it.
TikTok Banned Countries List: India
In June 2020, India banned TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps due to national security concerns amid ongoing border tensions with China. The Indian government accused the apps of “stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users’ data in an unauthorized manner to servers which have locations outside India.” The ban was made permanent in January 2021, and the Indian government has since launched its own short video app, called Mitron.
TikTok Banned Countries List: Pakistan
In October 2020, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) banned TikTok, citing “immoral” and “indecent” content on the platform. The decision came after several warnings were issued to TikTok for failing to filter out inappropriate content. The ban was lifted after 10 days when TikTok agreed to moderate content in accordance with Pakistani law. After that tiktok was banned again but currently it is not banned in Pakistan.
United States
In August 2020, then-President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning TikTok, citing concerns about national security and the app’s ties to the Chinese government. However, the ban was blocked by multiple court orders, and the Biden administration has since put the ban on hold while it reviews the app’s security risks. But now as per the new reports, TikTok is near to getting banned in the US.
Iran
In May 2021, Iran’s Supreme Council of Virtual Spaces banned TikTok, citing concerns about “immoral content.” The ban came after several warnings were issued to TikTok for failing to remove inappropriate content. However, the ban has been largely ineffective, as many Iranians continue to use VPNs to access the app.
TikTok Banned Countries List: New Zealand
In February 2021, the New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF) banned TikTok on all government-issued mobile devices due to concerns over security breaches. The ban was implemented to prevent potential unauthorized access to sensitive information and to maintain the security of NZDF networks.
Afghanistan
In November 2020, the Afghan government banned TikTok and several other social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter, citing concerns over “immoral and vulgar” content. The ban came as part of the government’s effort to combat the spread of pornography and other inappropriate content on social media.
Belgium
In December 2020, the Belgian Data Protection Authority (DPA) ordered TikTok to stop processing the personal data of users under the age of 13. The DPA found that TikTok had violated GDPR regulations by failing to obtain parental consent before processing children’s data. Although TikTok has not been banned in Belgium, it may face further legal action if it does not comply with the DPA’s order.
TikTok Banned Countries List: Canada
In January 2021, the Canadian military banned TikTok from all government-issued phones and devices due to security concerns. The ban was implemented to prevent potential unauthorized access to sensitive information and to maintain the security of government networks.
Taiwan
In July 2020, Taiwan’s government ordered all government agencies to delete TikTok from their devices, citing security concerns and the app’s alleged ties to the Chinese government. The ban was part of a broader effort to reduce Taiwan’s dependence on Chinese technology and prevent potential data breaches.
Indonesia
In July 2018, the Indonesian government briefly banned TikTok, citing concerns over “pornographic” and “blasphemous” content on the platform. The ban was lifted after TikTok agreed to remove the offending content.
TikTok Banned Countries List: Bangladesh
In June 2021, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) banned TikTok and 9 other Chinese apps, citing “negative impact on society.” The decision came after concerns were raised about the spread of pornographic and “anti-state” content on the platform.
Kuwait
In September 2020, Kuwait’s government banned TikTok over concerns about inappropriate content and security issues. The ban followed a wave of social media campaigns in Kuwait, where users criticized TikTok for promoting content that they felt was immoral and violated Kuwait’s conservative values.
Iraq
In April 2021, Iraq’s government banned TikTok and other social media platforms over concerns about the spread of “immoral” content. The ban was part of a broader effort to combat what the Iraqi government sees as the negative effects of social media on Iraqi society.
TikTok Banned Countries List: Vietnam
In July 2020, Vietnam’s government banned TikTok over concerns about the spread of “anti-state propaganda.” The ban came amid a crackdown on online dissent and criticism of the government in Vietnam.
Russia
In June 2020, Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, added TikTok to its list of banned websites over concerns about the spread of “pornographic” and “violent” content. The ban followed similar measures against other social media platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook, as Russia seeks to increase control over online content.
