View text source at Wikipedia

Censorship of TikTok

This article is about censorship of TikTok by governments and organizations. For censorship by TikTok itself, see Censorship by TikTok.
Countries where users can sign up for TikTok (as of September 2024)
  •   TikTok available on any device
  •   TikTok banned on national governmental devices
  •   TikTok no longer banned for all users
  •   TikTok banned de jure but not enforced
  •   TikTok banned for all users
  •   TikTok not available; Douyin used instead

Many countries have imposed past or ongoing restrictions on the video sharing social network TikTok. Bans from government devices usually stem from national security concerns over potential access of data by the Chinese government.[1] Other bans have cited children's well-being and offensive content such as pornography.[2]

Africa

[edit]

Senegal

[edit]

In August 2023, Senegal blocked TikTok following the arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. In October, the country said it wants to sign a comprehensive regulatory agreement with the platform before lifting its ban.[3]

Somalia

[edit]

On August 21, 2023, Somalia's communications ministry announced a ban on TikTok (along with Telegram and 1xBet) citing the spread of propaganda and indecent content, but the call has not been enforced.[4][5]

Kenya

[edit]

In April 2024, an individual has filed a petition to ban TikTok in Kenya. However, this is about unregulated content on the platform, not the government's indirect suppression of online criticism.[6]

Asia

[edit]

Afghanistan

[edit]

In April 2022, a spokesman for the Taliban government stated that the app will be banned for 'misleading the younger generation' and that TikTok's content was 'not consistent with Islamic laws'.[7]

Armenia

[edit]

In October 2020, TikTok users in Armenia reported a loss of app functionality, although it has not been confirmed whether this was the result of any intervention by the Armenian government in response to the use of the app by Azerbaijani sources to spread misinformation during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.[8]

Azerbaijan

[edit]

On 27 September 2020, citizens of Azerbaijan noticed social media restrictions across an array of platforms, including TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and others. NetBlocks confirmed the restrictions on social media and communication platforms through Twitter.[9] According to Azerbaijan's Ministry of Transport, Communications and Technology, these restrictions were issued in an attempt to "prevent large-scale provocations from Armenia," during the longstanding Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.[10]

On 19 September 2023, Azerbaijan restricted access to TikTok again, due to 2023 Nagorno-Karabakh clashes.[11][12]

Bangladesh

[edit]

In November 2018, the Bangladeshi government blocked the TikTok app's Internet access as part of Bangladesh's crackdown on the removal of pornography and gambling sites. "I want to create a safe and secure internet for all Bangladeshis, including children. And this is my war against pornography. And this will be a continuous war," said Mustafa Jabbar, Posts and Communications Officer of Bangladesh.[13]

In August 2020, the government of Bangladesh requested that TikTok remove 10 videos from the platform that were uploaded from the country.[13] "The TikTok authorities have told the government they will take down 'offensive' videos uploaded from Bangladesh," said the Minister of Post and Telecommunication of Bangladesh. As a result, the Bangladeshi government cleared the TikTok ban.

In June 2021, Law and Life Foundation, a human rights organization, issued a legal notice to the Bangladeshi government that sought the prohibition of "dangerous and harmful" applications such as TikTok, PUBG, and Free Fire, but failed to obtain a response. Soon thereafter, Law and Life Foundation's lawyers filed a petition with the High Court, sharing the organization's concerns. In August 2020, the High Court encouraged the Bangladeshi government to prohibit "dangerous and harmful" applications such as TikTok, PUBG, and Free Fire to "save children and adolescents from moral and social degradation."[14]

On August 2, 2024, TikTok, along with WhatsApp, Instagram and YouTube was blocked in Bangladesh due to quota reform protests.[15]

China (mainland and Hong Kong)

[edit]

TikTok on devices brought into mainland China and Hong Kong does not function on the local networks, although a combination of a VPN and a SIM card can circumvent the restrictions. [16]

India

[edit]

2019 ban

[edit]

On 3 April 2019, the Madras High Court, while hearing a PIL, asked the Government of India to ban the app, citing that it "encourages pornography" and shows "inappropriate content". The court also noted that minors using the app were at risk of being targeted by sexual predators. The court further asked broadcast media not to telecast any of those videos from the app. The spokesperson for TikTok stated that they were abiding by local laws and were awaiting a copy of the court order before they take action.[17] On 17 April, both Google and Apple blocked TikTok from Google Play and the App Store for users in India.[18] As the court refused to reconsider the ban, the company stated that they had removed over 6 million videos that violated their content policy and guidelines.[19]

On 25 April 2019, the ban was lifted after the Madras High Court reversed its order, following a plea from TikTok developer ByteDance Technology.[20][21] "We are committed to continuously enhancing our safety features as a testament to our ongoing commitment to our users in India," said TikTok in an official media statement.[22] India's TikTok ban might have cost the app 15 million new users.

2020 ban

[edit]

TikTok, along with 58 other Chinese-created apps,[23] was banned completely in India by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on 29 June 2020, with a statement saying they were "prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state, and public order".[24] The ban was in response to a military clash between Indian and Chinese troops in disputed territory along their shared border between Ladakh and Western China.[25][26] After an earlier skirmish in 2017 between the militaries of the two most populous countries in the world, the Indian military demanded that its troops delete dozens of Chinese applications from their devices over national security concerns. Applications like Weibo, UC Browser, and Shareit are among the apps that were deleted at that time and have now been completely banned.[23]

The Indian government said the decision to ban the apps was "to protect the data and privacy of its 1.3 billion citizens" and to put a stop to technology that was "stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users' data in unauthorized servers outside India".[26][27]

Apar Gupta, executive director of the Internet Freedom Foundation, said the censorship was absent from well-defined national security criteria and has "impacted more Indians than any before". A venture capital investor said it was a populist "feel-good" step, referring to the ban, and that the world has the right to do what China has long done in its own country.[27]

Indonesia

[edit]

On 3 July 2018, TikTok was temporarily banned in Indonesia after the government accused it of promulgating "pornography, inappropriate content, and blasphemy."[28][29][30][31][32] Rudiantara, Indonesia's Minister of Communications and Information said, "The app has a lot of negative and harmful content, especially for children," and added that, "once TikTok can give us guarantees they can maintain clean content, it can re-open."[33] TikTok quickly responded by promising to enlist 20 staff to censor TikTok content in Indonesia,[29] and the ban was lifted eight days later.[28]

Iran

[edit]

Iranians cannot access TikTok because of both TikTok's rules and Iranian censorship.[34]

Jordan

[edit]

On December 17, 2022, Jordan announced a temporary ban against TikTok, following the death of a police officer during clashes with protesters.[35] On December 23, local media outlets in Jordan reported that the platform was back to normal, following its six-day suspension.[36] In May 2023, it was reported that the app was still banned, with anonymous government sources saying the company had still not complied with all of its requirements.[37]

Kyrgyzstan

[edit]

Authorities banned the use of TikTok in August 2023, citing concerns about children's development.[38][39]

Nepal

[edit]
Main article: TikTok ban in Nepal

On November 13, 2023, the Government of Nepal said that it was banning TikTok. The main reason for the ban in was reported to be social harmony being disturbed by "misuse" of the video app and that there was rising demand to control it.[40] The ban was lifted in August 2024 following an agreement between TikTok and the Government of Nepal to help identify criminal misuse of the app.[41]

Pakistan

[edit]

Over the 15 months up to November 2021, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) imposed and lifted four bans on TikTok.[42]

In October 2020, Pakistan ordered a ban of TikTok over "immoral, obscene, and vulgar"[42] content. The ban was reversed ten days later, after ByteDance stated that they would remove objectionable TikTok content and block users who upload "pornography and paedo content".[43]

In March 2021, a provincial court, the Peshawar High Court Order responded to a petition made by a resident of Punjab.[43] The petition stated that TikTok's platform was being used to promote crime and glorified the use of drugs and weapons[43] in its short videos and called on the PTA to ban the app once again. According to Sara Ali Khan, legal representative of the Punjab resident, the PTA announced that TikTok had not adequately proven their ability to moderate "immoral" and "indecent" content.[44] Even with the removal of over 6 million videos between January 2021 and March 2021,[43] the PTA remained unsatisfied and banned the app outright. The PTA lifted the ban in April 2021 after TikTok assured them it would "filter and moderate content".

On 28 June 2021, the Sindh High Court Order urged the PTA to restore the ban on TikTok for the alleged "spreading of immorality and obscenity".[45] On 30 June 2021, the PTA announced that it had once more blocked citizen's access to the video-sharing application. Three days later, the court withdrew its decision.[46]

On 20 July 2021, the PTA instituted a ban on TikTok by reason of the "continuous presence of inappropriate content on the platform and its failure to take such content down."[43] According to a statement by the PTA, "As a result of continuous engagement, senior management of the platform assured (the) PTA of its commitment to take necessary measure to control unlawful content in accordance with local laws and societal norms."[47] Consequently, on 19 November 2021, the PTA agreed to act promptly and once again backtracked and eliminated Pakistan's fourth ban on TikTok. The PTA said in a tweet that they "will continue to monitor the platform in order to ensure that unlawful content contrary to Pakistan's law and societal values is not disseminated."[48]

Philippines

[edit]

A bill banning TikTok has been filed in the House of Representatives. of the Philippines. In May 2024, Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante filed House Bill 10489 proposing the ban of TikTok and other "foreign adversary-controlled" social platforms.[49] The Department of Information and Communications Technology however has preferred regulation and monitoring over outright ban of TikTok and other similar apps.[50]

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has also ordered its personnel to avoid using TikTok in both personal and government-issued devices over concerns of espionage by China. The order was publicized in February 2024 but has been in effect "for a long time" already.[51]

Taiwan

[edit]

Taiwan, which is facing off with China over the Taiwan Strait,[52] banned TikTok from government devices in December 2022, and is considering extending it to the private sector.[53]

In 2022, Taiwanese authorities banned TikTok from public sector devices over concerns of usage by the Chinese government to conduct "cognitive warfare" against Taiwan.[54]

Vietnam

[edit]

In Vietnam, the censorship of TikTok has become a complex and controversial issue.[55] The Vietnamese government has imposed numerous regulations and restrictions on content allowed on the platform, particularly content related to politics and issues that could affect national security.[56][57][58][59][60][61] Some users have reported that videos related to protests or sensitive issues have been removed or restricted. This has led to backlash from the online community, with many arguing that this censorship violates freedom of speech and user rights.

Uzbekistan

[edit]

On July 2, 2021, TikTok was included by Uzkomnazorat in the register of violators of the law on personal data and access to it from Uzbek IP addresses became impossible.[62]

Europe

[edit]

In February 2023, the European Commission and European Council banned TikTok from official devices.[63][64] French President Emmanuel Macron has called the app "deceptively innocent" and reportedly spoke of his desire to regulate the app, when visiting the United States in November 2022.[65]

On March 31, 2023, NATO announced the ban of TikTok on all NATO-issued devices citing security concerns.[66]

Austria

[edit]

In May 2023, following advice from Austria's intelligence services and several ministry experts, the Austrian federal government decided to ban the private use and installation of TikTok on work devices of federal employees.[67]

Belgium

[edit]

In March 2023, Belgium banned TikTok from all federal government work devices over cybersecurity, privacy, and misinformation concerns.[68]

Denmark

[edit]

In March 2023, Denmark's Ministry of Defence banned TikTok on work devices.[69]

Estonia

[edit]

March 29, 2023, The Minister of IT and Foreign Trade Kristjan Järvan has announced that the use and installation of the TikTok app will be banned on smartphones issued by the state to officials. In an interview with the daily Eesti Päevaleht, Järvan stated that the app will be removed from centrally managed smartphones and its installation will be prohibited from this month onwards.[70]

France

[edit]

In 2022, French President Emmanuel Macron accused TikTok of censoring content and promoting online addiction among young people.[71]

In March 2023, France banned all "recreational applications", including TikTok and other apps such as Twitter, Instagram, and Netflix, or games such as Candy Crush on government employees' phones due to concerns relating to insufficient data security measures.[72][73] Derogations for communications purpose can be authorised.[73]

During the 2024 New Caledonia unrest, the government issued a ban on TikTok.[74][75]

Ireland

[edit]

On April 21, 2023, the National Cyber Security Centre issued an updated advice that TikTok should not be installed or used on official public sector devices.[76]

Latvia

[edit]

In March 2023, the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs banned TikTok on work devices, citing security reasons.[77]

Malta

[edit]

The Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA) blocked the TikTok app on all government devices unless users have a ‘Standards Plus’ internet package.[78]

The Netherlands

[edit]

In November 2022, the Dutch Ministry of General Affairs advised government personnel to "suspend the use of TikTok for the government until TikTok has adjusted its data protection policy."[79] In March 2023 the Government ordered officials to delete the app from their work phones.[80]

Norway

[edit]

In March 2023, following advice from the National Security Authority, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre banned TikTok from the work phones and tablets used by ministers, state secretaries, and political advisors.[81]

Russia

[edit]

In March 2022, Russia criminalized spreading “misinformation” against its invasion of Ukraine. TikTok then banned any new uploads and only allowed old videos that were uploaded within Russia.[82]

TikTok has weathered Russia intelligence crackdown by controlling and cutting off Russian users from the outside world, while also allowing national propaganda.[83]

United Kingdom

[edit]

In March 2023, the UK government announced that TikTok would be banned on electronic devices used by ministers and other employees, amid security concerns relating to the app's handling of user data.[84] The same month, the BBC told all employees to delete TikTok off their devices unless the app was being used for work purposes. The network is also reportedly considering a ban on the app.[85]

North America

[edit]

Canada

[edit]

In February 2023, following a review of TikTok from the Chief Information Officer of Canada, the Canadian government banned the app on all government-issued devices.[86] In September 2023, the Canadian federal government commenced a national security review of TikTok under the Investment Canada Act.[87]

Shortly thereafter, all the provincial and territorial governments of Canada banned the app on government-issued devices, including Alberta,[88] British Columbia,[89] Manitoba,[90] New Brunswick,[91] Newfoundland and Labrador,[92] Northwest Territories,[93] Nova Scotia,[94] Nunavut,[93] Ontario,[95] Prince Edward Island,[96] Quebec,[97] Saskatchewan,[98] and Yukon.[99]

United States

[edit]
Main article: Restrictions on TikTok in the United States
Banning of TikTok on state government devices by U.S. state (as of April 2023)[needs update][original research]
  Ban enacted by Republican official
  Ban enacted by Democratic official
  Ban enacted by government agency
  No ban

Ban from government devices

[edit]

TikTok has been banned on devices owned by the federal government, with some exceptions.[100] It has also been banned in at least 34 (out of 50) states on devices issued by state governments.[101] They generally do not prohibit civilians from having or using the app on personal devices. Some universities have banned TikTok on campus Wi-Fi and university-owned computers.[102] New York City has banned the app on city-owned devices.[103]

Complete bans

[edit]

In May 2023, Montana became the first U.S. state to pass a ban that included personal devices, making it illegal for app stores to allow TikTok to be downloaded within Montana starting January 1, 2024.[104] However, a federal judge blocked the state ban from taking effect in November 2023.[105]

In March 2024, the United States House of Representatives passed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which would effectively ban TikTok unless it is divested from ByteDance within 180 days of the bill becoming a law, with U.S. president Joe Biden agreeing to sign it if the bill passed the US Senate.[106] In April, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 8038 (later known as Public Law 118-50), a collection of other bills which packaged together the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act with other bills that touched on supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia, fentanyl, and support for Israel and Taiwan.[107] The divestiture period was increased to 270 days with the option to extend it a further 90 days.[108] This bill was then passed by the United States Senate the following week and signed into law by President Joe Biden on April 24, 2024.[109][110]

Criticism

[edit]

Bans and attempted bans in the United States have drawn objections citing hypocrisy, protectionism, and not addressing user data privacy in general.[111][112] Critics have labeled a potential ban on the app an assault on freedom of speech.[113][114]

Oceania

[edit]

Australia

[edit]

On 7 March 2023, the Canberra Times reported that 68 Australian federal agencies had banned TikTok on work-related mobile devices. Liberal Party Senator James Paterson called for a federal ban on all government-related devices.[115]

Some state governments have considered banning the app on official government devices. On 14 March 2023, New South Wales was the first state to consider a ban on the app,[116] followed by both Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory three days later.[117][118] Victoria has also considered a ban on the app on the phones of government workers.[119]

On 21 March 2023, the federal government began a review of the app.[120] The review is expected to ban TikTok on all official government devices. It has been reported that some politicians are using burner phones due to the ban.[121]

On 4 April 2023, TikTok was banned on all government devices, including the mobile phones of politicians.[122]

New Caledonia

[edit]

On 16 May 2024, France issued a temporary ban on TikTok in New Caledonia in the wake of protests against changes to the election law.[123] This marks the first time ever that a social network was banned for civilian use on French territory.[124]

New Zealand

[edit]

On 17 March 2023, the New Zealand Parliamentary Service banned TikTok on devices connected to Parliament, citing cybersecurity concerns and advice from the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), the country's signals intelligence agency.[125][126] The GCSB's Minister, Andrew Little, had initially ruled out a ban on TikTok.[127]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Maheshwari, Sapna; Holpuch, Amanda (2023-10-10). "Why Countries Are Trying to Ban TikTok". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2023-11-28. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  2. ^ "The U.S. could ban TikTok. These countries have blocked or restricted it". The Washington Post. 2024-03-13. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
  3. ^ "Senegal seeks regulation deal with TikTok after ban". Reuters. 2023-10-05. Archived from the original on 2023-10-14. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  4. ^ "Somalia bans TikTok, Telegram and 1XBet over 'horrific' content, misinformation". Reuters. 2023-08-21. Archived from the original on 2023-08-21. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  5. ^ Wexler, Alexandra; Woo, Stu (2023-09-22). "TikTok Fights More Potential Bans, This Time in Africa". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 2023-10-17. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  6. ^ "The politics of Africa's TikTok bans". Rest of World. 2023-09-07. Archived from the original on 2024-03-23. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  7. ^ "Taliban Ban TikTok App for 'Misleading the Younger Generation'". Bloomberg.com. 21 April 2022. Archived from the original on 21 April 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  8. ^ "Tik Tok fails operating in Armenia". armenpress.am. Armenpress. 30 September 2020. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  9. ^ "Social media restricted in Azerbaijan amid clashes with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh". NetBlocks. 2020-09-27. Archived from the original on 2020-11-01. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  10. ^ "Azerbaijan limits internet access to prevent Armenia's large-scale acts of provocation". mincom.gov.az (in Azerbaijani). Archived from the original on 2021-11-25. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  11. ^ "19 sentyabr tarixindən Azərbaycan ərazisində "TikTok" sosial şəbəkəsinin fəaliyyətinə müvəqqəti məhdudiyyət tətbiq edilmişdir". Cyber Security Service (in Azerbaijani). Archived from the original on 20 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  12. ^ "Azərbaycanda "TikTok"un fəaliyyəti məhdudlaşdırılıb - ETX məlumat yaydı". 1news.az (in Azerbaijani). Archived from the original on 20 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  13. ^ a b "5 Countries That Have Banned TikTok - Viebly". viebly.com. Archived from the original on 2021-11-25. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  14. ^ "Bangladesh court orders ban on TikTok, PUBG, Free Fire to 'save children'". New Straits Times. 2021-08-17. Archived from the original on 2021-11-25. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  15. ^ "Bangladesh imposes ban on WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok". Minute Mirror. August 2, 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ Grundy, Tom (15 March 2024). "Why is TikTok blocked in Hong Kong?". Hong Kong Free Press.
  17. ^ "'It Encourages Pornography': Madras High Court Asks Government to Ban Video App TikTok". News18. 4 April 2019. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  18. ^ "Apple, Google Block TikTok in India After Court Order". NDTV. 17 April 2019. Archived from the original on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  19. ^ Chandrashekhar, Anandi (17 April 2019). "TikTok no longer available on Google and Apple stores". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 6 June 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  20. ^ "TikTok ban lifted in India but it has lost at least 2 million users". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 16 August 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  21. ^ "TikTok Ban in India Lifted by Madras High Court". beebom.com. Archived from the original on 5 October 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  22. ^ Mukherjee, Amritanshu (April 25, 2019). "TikTok no longer banned in India says Court, but porn videos not allowed: Everything you must know". India Today. Archived from the original on 2021-11-25. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  23. ^ a b Abi-Habib, Maria (2020-06-29). "India Bans Nearly 60 Chinese Apps, Including TikTok and WeChat". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2020-09-20. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  24. ^ "India bans TikTok and dozens more Chinese apps". BBC News. 29 June 2020. Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  25. ^ Doval, Pankaj (30 June 2020). "TikTok, UC Browser among 59 Chinese apps blocked as threat to sovereignty". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020.
  26. ^ a b Ellis-Petersen, Hannah (29 June 2020). "India bans TikTok after Himalayan border clash with Chinese troops". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 29 June 2020.
  27. ^ a b Zhong, Raymond; Schultz, Kai (30 June 2020). "With India's TikTok Ban, the World's Digital Walls Grow Higher". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 17 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  28. ^ a b "Indonesia overturns ban on Chinese video app Tik Tok". The Straits Times. Reuters. 11 July 2018. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  29. ^ a b "Chinese video app Tik Tok to set up Indonesia censor team to..." Reuters. 5 July 2018. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019 – via uk.reuters.com.
  30. ^ "Indonesia blocks 'pornographic' Tik Tok app". DW.COM. 7 May 2018. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  31. ^ Spence, Philip (16 January 2019). "ByteDance Can't Outrun Beijing's Shadow". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 16 January 2019. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  32. ^ "TikTok parent ByteDance sues Chinese news site that exposed fake news problem". TechCrunch. 20 December 2018. Archived from the original on 22 August 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  33. ^ "Indonesia bans Chinese video app Tik Tok for 'inappropriate content'". Reuters. 2018-07-04. Archived from the original on 2022-03-15. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  34. ^ "تیک تاک کاربران ایرانی را مسدود می‌کند؟". tejaratnews.com (in Persian). Archived from the original on 23 April 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  35. ^ "Jordan bans TikTok after police officer killed in protests". NBC News. Associated Press. 17 December 2022. Archived from the original on 17 December 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  36. ^ "TikTok users in Jordan say platform is 'back to normal'". Jordan News. 23 December 2022. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  37. ^ "Jordan's TikTok ban enters fifth month". Roya News.
  38. ^ "Kyrgyz Authorities Ban TikTok Citing Effects On Child Development". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Archived from the original on 2023-11-17. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  39. ^ "Kyrgyzstan Blocks TikTok". Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. 18 April 2024. Archived from the original on 2024-04-19. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  40. ^ "Nepal to ban China's TikTok, alleges damaging social impact". Reuters. 13 November 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-12-06. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  41. ^ "Nepal lifts tiktok ban: Social media platform returns after agreement with authorities". The New Indian Express. 2024-08-25. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
  42. ^ a b "TikTok Ban Lifted by Pakistan, Fourth Time in Past 15 Months". NDTV Gadgets 360. 22 November 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-11-25. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  43. ^ a b c d e "Pakistan bans TikTok for 4th time, for inappropriate content". Hindustan Times. 2021-07-21. Archived from the original on 2021-11-25. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  44. ^ Saifi, Sophia. "Pakistan bans TikTok again". KCTV Kansas City. Archived from the original on 2021-11-25. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  45. ^ "Pakistan lifts ban on TikTok after assurances to control 'immoral & indecent' contents". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 2021-11-25. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  46. ^ "SHC reverses ban on TikTok in Pakistan". www.thenews.com.pk. Archived from the original on 2021-11-25. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  47. ^ "Pakistan lifts ban on TikTok after assurances to curb 'immoral, indecent' content". India Today. November 20, 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-11-21. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  48. ^ "Pakistan restores access to TikTok after four bans". www.theregister.com. Archived from the original on 2021-11-25. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  49. ^ Parungao, Adrian (25 May 2024). "Solon seeks to ban TikTok, 'foreign adversary-controlled' apps in PH". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  50. ^ "While US threatens to ban TikTok, Philippines says regulation is key". South China Morning Post. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  51. ^ Punongbayan, Michael (17 February 2024). "Military personnel banned from using TikTok". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  52. ^ "대만 해협", 위키백과, 우리 모두의 백과사전 (in Korean), 2023-10-28, retrieved 2024-03-23
  53. ^ "India's TikTok Ban Might Have Cost the App 15 Million New Users". beebom.com. 3 May 2019. Archived from the original on 5 October 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  54. ^ "Is time up for TikTok on Taiwan? Island mulls ban over 'cognitive warfare'". South China Morning Post. 2022-12-10. Archived from the original on 2023-01-20. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
  55. ^ "TikTok đối mặt thay đổi gì sau loạt vi phạm tại Việt Nam". Vnexpress (in Vietnamese). 2023-10-05. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  56. ^ "TikTok kiểm duyệt chưa hiệu quả, lọt nhiều nội dung vi phạm pháp luật Việt Nam". VOV.VN (in Vietnamese). 2023-10-05. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  57. ^ "TikTok vẫn chưa khắc phục hết các sai phạm tại Việt Nam". VOV.VN (in Vietnamese). 2023-12-07. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  58. ^ HM (2023-10-05). "Kết quả kiểm tra toàn diện hoạt động của Tiktok tại Việt Nam". baochinhphu.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  59. ^ Gordon, Anna (2024-04-25). "Here Are All the Countries With TikTok Bans and Restrictions". TIME. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  60. ^ "Tăng follow Tiktok". Like5s.VN (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  61. ^ Phong -, Đỗ (2023-10-05). "Công bố kết quả kiểm tra toàn diện hoạt động TikTok tại Việt Nam". Nhịp sống kinh tế Việt Nam & Thế giới (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  62. ^ ""Узкомназорат" ограничил доступ к ряду соцсетей". Газета.uz (in Russian). 2021-07-02. Archived from the original on 2022-02-11. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  63. ^ "European Commission bans TikTok from official devices". CNN. 23 February 2023. Archived from the original on 23 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  64. ^ Chee, Foo Yun (2023-02-23). "Top EU bodies, citing security, ban TikTok on staff phones". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2023-02-23. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  65. ^ Vinocur, Nicholas (10 January 2023). "Europe turns on TikTok". Politico. Archived from the original on 10 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  66. ^ Bertrand, Natasha (March 31, 2023). "NATO bans TikTok on devices". CNN. Archived from the original on June 7, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  67. ^ "Austria bans TikTok on government work phones". The Local Europe. 10 May 2023. Archived from the original on 11 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  68. ^ "Belgium bans TikTok from government phones after US, EU". Associated Press. 10 March 2023. Archived from the original on 10 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  69. ^ "Danish defense ministry bans TikTok on employee work phones". Associated Press. 6 March 2023. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  70. ^ "Countries Where TikTok Is Banned". Banpedia. 26 April 2023. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  71. ^ "Macron slams TikTok over 'addiction' and censorship". Le Monde.fr. 2022-12-08. Archived from the original on 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  72. ^ "France bans TikTok, Twitter from government staff phones". Associated Press. 24 March 2023. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  73. ^ a b "France : interdiction d'applications 'récréatives' dont TikTok sur les téléphones des fonctionnaires". RTBF (in French). Archived from the original on 2023-03-28. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  74. ^ "France imposes state of emergency, bans TikTok in riot-hit New Caledonia". France 24. 2024-05-15. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  75. ^ "Nouvelle-Calédonie : Gabriel Attal annonce le déploiement de l'armée, le réseau social TikTok interdit - France Bleu". ici par France Bleu et France 3 (in French). 2024-05-15. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  76. ^ "Countries Where TikTok Is Banned". 2023-04-21. Archived from the original on 2023-04-26. Retrieved 2023-04-26.
  77. ^ "Latvian Foreign Ministry bans TikTok on work phones". eng.lsm.lv (Public Broadcasting of Latvia). 2023-03-02. Archived from the original on 2023-03-17. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  78. ^ "TikTok blocked on government devices just like other social networking sites". MaltaToday. 16 March 2023. Archived from the original on 26 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  79. ^ Haeck, Pieter (January 25, 2023). "Don't use TikTok, Dutch officials are told". Politico Europe. Archived from the original on January 26, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  80. ^ "Kabinet verbiedt TikTok op werktelefoons van rijksambtenaren". nos.nl (in Dutch). 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  81. ^ "SMK: TikTok-forbud får umiddelbar virkning". NRK (in Norwegian). March 21, 2023. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  82. ^ "TikTok users in Russia can see only old Russian-made content | TikTok | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com. Archived from the original on 2023-11-20. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  83. ^ Oremus, Will (2022-04-13). "TikTok created an alternate universe just for Russia". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  84. ^ "TikTok: UK ministers banned from using Chinese-owned app on government phones". BBC News. 16 March 2023. Archived from the original on 16 March 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  85. ^ "BBC Considers TikTok Ban As Staff Told To Delete App Unless They Are Using It For Work Purposes". Deadline. 20 March 2023. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  86. ^ "TikTok banned on all Canadian government devices over 'unacceptable' risk". Global News. 27 February 2023. Archived from the original on 27 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  87. ^ "Chinese-owned TikTok faces national security review in Canada". Hong Kong Free Press. 2024-03-17. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
  88. ^ "Alberta, Calgary governments outlaw TikTok". CTV News. 2023-02-28. Archived from the original on 2023-03-08. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  89. ^ Lindsay, Bethany (2023-02-28). "B.C. temporarily bans TikTok on government-issued phones". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2023-03-08. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  90. ^ "Manitoba to ban TikTok on all government devices". CTV News. 2023-03-02. Archived from the original on 2023-03-08. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  91. ^ "New Brunswick joins Maritime provinces in banning TikTok from government-issued devices". CTV News. 2023-03-02. Archived from the original on 2023-03-10. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  92. ^ "N.L. government bans TikTok from government devices". CBC News. 2023-03-01. Archived from the original on 2023-03-10. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  93. ^ a b "Territories join Ottawa, most provinces in banning TikTok on government devices". CTVNews. 2023-03-08. Archived from the original on 2023-03-10. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  94. ^ "Nova Scotia bans TikTok from all government-issued mobile devices". CTV News. 2023-02-28. Archived from the original on 2023-03-08. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  95. ^ "Ontario to ban TikTok from government devices". CTV News. 2023-03-09. Archived from the original on 2023-03-10. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  96. ^ "P.E.I. government, Charlottetown City Hall join TikTok ban". CTV News. 2023-03-01. Archived from the original on 2023-03-08. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  97. ^ "Quebec bans TikTok on government mobile devices". CTV News. 2023-02-27. Archived from the original on 2023-03-07. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  98. ^ "Sask. bans TikTok from government-owned devices". CTV News. 2023-03-01. Archived from the original on 2023-03-10. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  99. ^ "Yukon government banning TikTok on government-issued devices". Yukon News. 2023-03-03. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  100. ^ Ingram, David (30 December 2022). "Biden signs TikTok ban for government devices, setting up a chaotic 2023 for the app". NBC News. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  101. ^ "EXPLAINER: List of states banning TikTok grows". Associated Press. 2023-01-12. Archived from the original on 2023-01-15. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  102. ^ Castillo, Evans (31 January 2023). "These Colleges Just Banned TikTok". Best Colleges. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023.
  103. ^ "NYC Bans TikTok From City-Owned Devices Amid Backlash Against China-Based Owner". Forbes. 16 August 2023. Archived from the original on 18 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  104. ^ "Montana becomes first state to ban TikTok after governor signs bill into law". NBC News. 2023-05-17. Archived from the original on 2023-11-20. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  105. ^ "Montana's first-in-the-nation ban on TikTok blocked by judge who says it's unconstitutional". Associated Press News. 30 November 2023. Archived from the original on 1 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  106. ^ "TikTok bill live: US House passes bill that could lead to nationwide TikTok ban". BBC News. 2024-03-13. Archived from the original on 2024-03-15. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  107. ^ Brown, Elizabeth Nolan (2024-04-22). "TikTok measure passed by House is unconstitutional in multiple ways". Reason.com. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
  108. ^ Peller, Lauren; Hutzler, Alexandra; El-Bawab, Nadine (2024-04-20). "House approves $95 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2024-04-24. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  109. ^ Peller, Lauren; Pecorin, Allison; Beth Hensley, Sarah; Hutzler, Alexandra (2024-04-23). "Senate passes $95B foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan: What's next?". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2024-04-24. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  110. ^ Williams, Michael; Saenz, Arlette; Liptak, Kevin (2024-04-24). "Biden signs foreign aid bill providing crucial military assistance to Ukraine". CNN Politics. CNN. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  111. ^ Hale, Erin. "US says China can spy with TikTok. It spies on world with Google". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023. They did not mention how the US government itself uses US tech companies that effectively control the global internet to spy on everyone else. It is a case of rules for thee but not for me. Washington giving US tech companies a free card while restricting foreign companies ... But why wouldn't they just buy it on the open market like the American government does?
  112. ^ Chin, Caitlin (6 October 2022). "U.S. Digital Privacy Troubles Do Not Start or End with TikTok". Center for Strategic and International Studies. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2023. In recent years, government agencies ... have reportedly purchased massive amounts of U.S. mobile app geolocation information from data brokers—without warrants or proper oversight. Furthermore, U.S. private companies ... have collectively scanned billions of social media posts—which could include TikTok content.
  113. ^ Fortinsky, Sarah (2024-03-13). "Rand Paul: Proposed TikTok ban 'makes no sense'". The Hill. Archived from the original on 2024-04-20. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
  114. ^ "GOP Rep. Massie says TikTok bill would not address 'root problems'". NBC News. Archived from the original on 2024-04-20. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
  115. ^ Canales, Sarah (7 March 2023). "TikTok banned at nearly 70 federal government agencies as 'patchwork approach' raises concern". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  116. ^ "NSW government considers banning TikTok on all public sector devices | New South Wales politics | the Guardian". Archived from the original on 2023-03-20. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  117. ^ "TikTok ban being considered on WA government devices as authorities scramble to deal with perceived China surveillance threat - ABC News". Archived from the original on 2023-03-20. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  118. ^ "ACT govt considers TikTok ban on work devices but 'not waging a war' against app". 17 March 2023. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  119. ^ "TikTok ban on Victorian government workers' phones overturned". Archived from the original on 2023-03-23. Retrieved 2023-03-23.
  120. ^ Lee, Rachel; Luttrell, Prudence; Johnson, Matthew; Garnaut, John (14 March 2023). "TikTok, ByteDance, and their ties to the Chinese Communist Party". Parliament of Australia. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  121. ^ Benson, Simon; Clarke, Jenna (2023-03-21). "Federal ministers, premiers and independent MPs use burner phones as TikTok ban nears and Clare O'Neil handed security review". The Australian. Archived from the original on 2023-04-17. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  122. ^ "Australian government bans TikTok on government devices". news.com.au. 4 April 2023. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  123. ^ Novak, Matt (16 May 2024). "France Bans TikTok in Island Territory After Pro-Independence Protests Turn Violent". Gizmodo. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  124. ^ Brioulet, Cyril (16 May 2024). "TikTok interdit en Nouvelle-Calédonie : comment le gouvernement a-t-il pu agir contre le réseau social". LaDepeche.fr.
  125. ^ "New Zealand to ban TikTok on devices linked to parliament, cites security concerns". Reuters. 16 March 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-03-17. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  126. ^ "Parliamentary Service bans TikTok on its devices". Radio New Zealand. 17 March 2023. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  127. ^ "GCSB does not have legal mandate to ban TikTok on government devices". Radio New Zealand. 1 March 2023. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.