4 interesting facts about the ban on TikTok in the US

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Here are 4 things to know about the ban on TikTok in the US:

1. The US government’s national security concerns.

The ban stems from worries that TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, could be used to collect US user data and potentially influence US citizens.

The ban on TikTok officially commenced on January 19, 2025, which effectively blocked US users from accessing TikTok on their devices.

2. The legal basis of the ban.

The US Congress passed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, a piece of US legislation that aims to address national security concerns related to certain foreign-owned applications.

The law aims to protect US citizens from potential threats posed by applications controlled by foreign adversaries, particularly those with ties to governments like China.

It also prohibits companies in the US from providing services like distribution, maintenance, or updates for “foreign adversary-controlled applications” unless they sever ties with entities controlled by foreign adversaries.

This essentially forces companies like ByteDance to divest from their US operations to avoid a ban, but the Chinese company failed to do so.

3. Trump’s temporary pause.

While the ban was initially enacted, it was temporarily paused following an executive order.  

Shortly after the ban began, US President Donald Trump issued an executive order to delay the enforcement of the ban for 75 days.

This effectively paused the ban, allowing TikTok to restore service to US users.

President Trump’s decision for the delay will reportedly allow his administration to “determine the appropriate course forward” regarding TikTok’s future in the US.

4. The TikTok ban is a global trend.

Observers have noted that the US ban on TikTok is part of a global trend, as several countries, including those in Europe and Asia, have either banned TikTok outright or restricted its use on government devices due to similar concerns on data and national security.

These are the following:  

Outright bans:

India: One of the most significant bans, affecting a massive user base.  
Afghanistan: Due to concerns about its impact on youth.  
Nepal: Citing concerns about social harmony.
Kyrgyzstan: Concerns about the app’s impact on children’s mental health.
Uzbekistan: Due to non-compliance with data protection laws.  

Restrictions on government devices:

United States: A temporary ban was recently implemented, but it’s currently paused.  
United Kingdom: Ban on government devices.  
Canada: Ban on government devices.  
Australia: Ban on government devices.  
European Union: Several EU countries have implemented bans on government devices.  

This list is not exhaustive, and the situation is constantly evolving.

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