US TikTok ban: Which other countries have banned the app?

NAIROBI - TikTok is back in Apple and Google app stores in the U.S. as President Donald Trump says he could extend a 75-day delay on enforcing a ban on the short video app, adding there were a lot of people interested in buying it.

The app, used by nearly half of all Americans, went dark briefly in January, before a law, requiring Chinese owner ByteDance either to sell it on national security grounds or face a ban, was due to come into effect.

Trump signed an executive order on January 20 to delay the enforcement of the ban. He said this week that he could extend the delay but didn't think this would be necessary as he hoped to make a deal to keep the app alive in the U.S.

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a law mandating a ban if ByteDance failed to divest the site by January 19.

Lawmakers have argued that the app poses national security risks because China could compel the company to share the data of its U.S. users.

TikTok, which is used by 170 million Americans, has denied that it has or ever would share U.S. user data.

U.S. lawmakers are not the first to seek to shut down TikTok. Here's what you need to know about which countries have banned TikTok, and why.

Which countries have banned TikTok, and why?

Afghanistan

The Taliban government banned TikTok in April 2022, saying it was misleading the younger generation.

Albania

In December, Albania announced a year-long TikTok ban after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death by a fellow student after the two reportedly clashed online.

The government says the ban is aimed at reducing youth violence, but rights groups and business owners say it threatens commerce and free speech ahead of May elections.

India

India banned TikTok in June 2020 along with other Chinese apps after a border clash between India and China. Authorities cited concerns about data security and privacy, adding that the apps were prejudicial to India's sovereignty and integrity.

Jordan

Jordan banned TikTok in December 2022 after a police officer was killed in clashes with protesters that broke out over high fuel prices. Authorities said they were temporarily banning the app as it had failed to deal with posts inciting violence and disorder, but the ban remains in place.

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan banned TikTok in August 2023, saying that it was harmful to the mental health of children.

Nepal

Nepal banned TikTok for all its citizens in November 2023, saying the app was disturbing "social harmony and good will".

Senegal

Senegal banned the app in August 2023 after an opposition candidate was arrested and accused of using the platform to spread "hateful and subversive messages" threatening the country's stability.

The government wants TikTok to put in place a mechanism that allows authorities to remove specific accounts. 

Somalia

The Somali government banned TikTok, Telegram, and the online betting website 1XBet in August 2023, to limit the spread of what it called indecent content and propaganda. Officials said "terrorists and immoral groups" were using the apps to "spread constant horrific images and misinformation." 

South Sudan

South Sudanese authorities said in January they had suspended their population's access to all social media platforms, including TikTok, for a minimum of 30 days.

The announcement came after videos depicting the alleged killings of South Sudanese nationals in Sudan's El Gezira state triggered riots and deadly revenge attacks.

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan banned TikTok in July 2021, after authorities said the app did not comply with personal data protection laws.    

Other countries have enforced partial bans, prohibiting access to the app on the work devices of lawmakers, civil servants or other employees, citing data privacy and national security concerns.

These include Britain, the United States, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Malta, the Netherlands, Latvia, Ireland, New Zealand, and Norway. European Union institutions have also banned employees from using it.

What impact have TikTok bans had on users?

Content creators who had built their livelihoods on the platform found themselves without an audience virtually overnight. They were forced to pivot and seek out new platforms to maintain their followings and revenue streams.

Meanwhile, users were abruptly cut off from a popular source of entertainment and community connection.

This void, however, has spurred the growth in alternative platforms such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.

Local apps in countries such as India - which had 200 million TikTok users - have also sprouted but struggled to replicate TikTok's success.

Many users have also turned to installing Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) through which they can still access the app.

Are other countries likely to follow suit?

Countries that have imposed partial bans such as Britain, EU countries and Australia, may move towards full bans if the United States imposes a ban.

Some governments are reluctant to impose bans, but are seeking alternative approaches to address security, privacy and content moderation worries.
Kenya, for example, is seeking to impose stricter regulation of the platform, rather than banning it.

A panel in parliament is considering a petition from a Kenyan citizen to ban TikTok, following accusations from the Interior Ministry that the platform has been used to spread propaganda, carry out fraud and distribute sexual content.

This article was updated on Feb. 14, 2025 after TikTok returned to the U.S. app stores of Apple and Goggle

(Reporting by Nita Bhalla; Editing by Clar Ni Chonghaile.)