In Which Countries Is TikTok Banned?

TikTok is not without controversy, with the popular app being banned in multiple countries.

TikTok has grown in popularity since it was launched in September 2016. The short video sharing platform has more than 1.5 billion monthly active users in over 150 countries, and many networks have created similar features to overcome the company's dominance.

But despite its undisputed success, TikTok is also controversial in many parts of the world. Some countries have implemented a TikTok ban, while others have either tried to block it or imposed temporary restrictions.

So where is TikTok banned? Here's what you need to know.

Where Is TikTok Currently Banned?

In 2020, former US President Donald Trump tried to impose a TikTok ban in America but was unsuccessful in his efforts. However, some countries have been more successful in this respect.

Its status is unclear, although it is not completely banned in Russia. As The Guardian reported in March 2022, TikTok only allowed Russian-language content to be shown in the country.

But in other countries, the controversial practice has been banned altogether. Here are some of them.

1. India

Indian authorities heavily restricted Chinese apps in 2020 and banned TikTok along with more than 50 apps in the summer of that year.

India has chosen to ban Chinese apps, citing TikTok and national security concerns. TikTok was extremely popular with over 200 million users in the country before it was blocked.

TikTok's ban in India is permanent and the company has withdrawn from the market.

2. Afghanistan The

Taliban took control of Afghanistan in the summer of 2021 and ordered a TikTok ban in early 2022.

As stated in a BBC article, the Taliban said they aimed to "prevent the mislead of the younger generation". As of January 2023, the ban had not yet come into effect, and no one knows whether it will be permanent.

Which Countries Have Banned TikTok in the Past?

In addition to India's seemingly irrevocable ban and Afghanistan's plans to restrict the app owned by Bytedance, several countries have banned TikTok in the past. However, many have since reversed their decision.

Below are some of the countries that previously banned TikTok but have since allowed users to access the app again.

1. Pakistan

Pakistan's relationship with TikTok is far from simple. Authorities in the country banned the app at least four times between October 2020 and November 2021.

The first ban in October 2020 lasted 10 days and was the result of content deemed inappropriate. In March 2021, the app was banned again, this time until April.

Two months later, TikTok was hit with another ban in Pakistan. However, this only lasted three days.

The fourth ban occurred in July 2021 and lasted about four months. But things were more smooth for TikTok in Pakistan in 2022.

2. Bangladesh

Bangladesh is another country where TikTok has found itself in hot water before. Access to the app was restricted in November 2018, but users were able to consume content again in 2020.

However, this was not the last of TikTok's dispute with Bangladeshi authorities. In the summer of 2021, a court in the country ruled that the app and several other apps should be banned again for three months.

3. Indonesia

Indonesia is another country that has implemented a TikTok ban in the past. In July 2018, authorities in the country chose to restrict users' access to the app due to the content on the platform. The government said users have access to pornography and other forms of inappropriate content.

TikTok's ban in Indonesia lasted just over a week; allowed to start working again after removing said content.

Is TikTok Banned in China?

TikTok's parent company, Bytedance, is headquartered in Beijing. However, TikTok does not operate in China.

Instead, users in the country can download an app called Douyin. The app is similar to TikTok, but you cannot download it outside of China.

Several Countries Have Brought TikTok Ban

TikTok's time in the limelight has not passed without controversy, and several countries have blocked the application in the past. Concerns about user privacy are high in many countries and others have questioned the content available on the platform.

Is TikTok banned elsewhere? We'll have to wait and see. However, in many countries, the app will likely be around in the long run and its popularity is steadily growing.