An increasing number of countries and governmental entities are initiating measures against the application.”
TikTok is encountering an escalating trend of restrictions and bans on a global scale.
In the United States, the app is under the shadow of a potential ban, and a recent congressional hearing with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has garnered significant attention. Furthermore, across North America, Europe, and Asia, numerous countries have imposed varying levels of restrictions on the app, primarily driven by concerns related to privacy and cybersecurity, given its association with ByteDance, a company with ties to the Chinese government. International organizations such as the European Commission and NATO have also prohibited their staff from using TikTok on corporate devices, mirroring the actions of various national governments worldwide.
Here is a list of countries that have either partially or entirely banned the app:
Afghanistan:
TikTok was banned in Afghanistan by the Taliban in April 2022, citing content inconsistencies with Islamic laws.
Australia:
On April 4, 2023, Australia banned this app from all federal government-owned devices due to security concerns raised by the Department of Home Affairs.
Belgium:
Belgium banned this social media platform from government officials’ work phones, with Prime Minister Alexander De Croo expressing concerns about its ties to Chinese intelligence services.
Canada:
Following suit with other nations, Canada banned TikTok from all government mobile devices in February, citing significant risks to privacy and security.
Denmark:
Denmark’s Defense Ministry prohibited employees from having TikTok on their work devices in March due to security considerations.
India:
In 2020, India imposed a nationwide ban on TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps due to concerns about their impact on India’s sovereignty, defense, and public order.
The Netherlands:
Dutch officials have been advised not to use this app, aligning with similar recommendations from other government bodies.
New Zealand:
New Zealand’s parliament banned TikTok on all staff devices, citing unacceptable risks in the parliamentary environment.
Norway:
The Norwegian Parliament banned TikTok on governmental devices in March but allowed civil servants to use it on their personal devices for professional purposes.
Somalia:
In August 2023, Somalia banned TikTok over concerns about the spread of terror-related content on the platform.
Taiwan:
In December 2022, government devices in Taiwan were prohibited from using Chinese-made software, including TikTok.
United Kingdom:
British government ministers have been banned from using TikTok on work phones and devices following reviews by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre.
United States:
The situation in the United States is complex. In March, the U.S. called for ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a potential nationwide ban. While no nationwide ban has been enacted, federal agencies are removing the app from staff phones. TikTok also remains prohibited on White House devices. The future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain.
As of May 17, the Montana House of Representatives has passed a ban on this app, which, if signed into law by the state’s governor, could make the app illegal for use by individuals statewide.