How to Access TikTok in Countries That Banned It? – USA
Australia has banned the TikTok app since April 2023.
The Australian government claims that the prohibition is necessary to safeguard its residents' personal information.
A ban on the app is also being explored by the US owing to
national security reasons.
The use of TikTok in Australia and other nations that forbid it or only partially restrict access will be covered in this post.
This calls for the use of a VPN
and some adjustments to your mobile device.
What is TikTok?
Users can contribute their own videos using the TikTok app, which is a social network for video sharing.
To make it easier for viewers to browse and engage with the
content, these videos are divided into many categories.
ByteDance, a Beijing-based internet technology business that was established in 2012, owns TikTok.
TikTok went global in August 2018 following its merger with Musical.ly.
About 1 billion users have joined it in less than four years, and it currently
has offices all around the world.
Famous people like Dwayne Johnson, Will Smith, Kylie Jenner, Jimmy Fallon, and others are among its users.
TikTok celebs like Khabane Lame, Zach King, Loren Gray,
and Charli D'Amelio were also made famous through the app.
Why Do Some Countries Ban TikTok?
TikTok was prohibited in Australia and other nations because of privacy concerns and possible ties to the Chinese government.
The issue stems from the presumption
that Chinese businesses cannot reject requests from the Communist Party for
access to their user data.
Despite TikTok's denial that it shares user data with Chinese authorities, many nations have partially or completely banned the app due to their suspicions.
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Is TikTok banned in Australia?
Australian
officials found the app to be a threat to the security and integrity of the
country because of the user data it collects.
Attorney-General
Mark Dreyfus said in a statement that the ban would go into effect "as soon
as practically possible" and that exceptions would only be made in certain
circumstances and with adequate security measures in place.
Not
surprisingly, many of these users want to know how to use TikTok in Australia
despite the continued ban.
Fortunately,
there are solutions, as we shall go over in more detail below.
Current
status TikTok in Australia: Banned
Is TikTok banned in Russia?
Although the majority of social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, are blocked in Russia, TikTok is still accessible.
Russian users can only see older videos published by accounts with a Russian location because TikTok has blocked all new and non-Russian content since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
But, you may get full access to TikTok in Russia by using a
VPN.
Current
status TikTok in Russia: Ban on new uploads and foreign content
Is TikTok banned in the USA?
Due to worries over data harvesting, President Trump vowed to ban TikTok in 2020.
On
US government phones, the app was prohibited.
However, TikTok claimed that because all American data is stored there, it is not governed by Chinese law.
In the end, the app was never prohibited in the United
States.
TikTok's
current situation in the USA: not forbidden
Is TikTok banned in Indonesia?
In 2018, TikTok was briefly outlawed in Indonesia but the restriction was later removed after the business agreed to regulate some of its material.
Concerns about
pornography, improper content, and blasphemy served as the justification for
the prohibition.
TikTok's
current situation in Indonesia: Censored
Is TikTok banned in Bangladesh?
TikTok is back in operation in Bangladesh after a brief period of suspension, albeit with significant restrictions.
Ten films were removed as part of this censoring due to government objections.
According to Bangladeshi officials, there are currently
no intentions to outlaw the app.
Bangladesh's
TikTok situation at the moment: Censored
Is TikTok banned in INDIA?
Because of its connections to China, the Indian government debated banning the TikTok app in 2020.
It did not impose a ban, but it did issue a warning to users of
the app.
India's
TikTok situation at the moment: Banned
Is TikTok banned in the European Union?
Similar to Australia, the European Union does not forbid the use of TikTok, however, data protection organizations have begun to investigate the app's privacy practices since July 2020.
Concerns about user information and how it is
collected and utilized are shared by the European Union and other countries.
TikTok is not yet prohibited in the European Union.
How does TikTok address these worries?
The TikTok developers responded to questions about security and privacy by claiming that the Chinese government is not given access to the data the software gathers.
Lee Hunter, the country manager for the company in Australia and New
Zealand, wrote the following on his blog:
“There is
no evidence to suggest that TikTok is in any way a security risk to Australians
and should not be treated differently to other social media platforms.”
However,
TikTok criticized the Trump administration's assertion that the app poses a
security risk, asserting that the claims are false.
How to Use TikTok in a Country That Banned It?
Users of TikTok who had the app installed on their phones before the restriction may access their own content in restricted locations.
They later complained that
they couldn't use the older versions since they couldn't update to newer
versions.
In nations where they are prohibited, new users can no longer download the TikTok app through conventional app stores.
The blocking of TikTok downloads has been
mandated for ISPs in certain nations.
Yet, there are still methods through which you can use TikTok in Australia or any other country where it is prohibited.
Starting with the simplest approach, utilizing a VPN and browser instead of the app at all.
Detailed instructions: Access TikTok by using a VPN
The simplest method is to browse TikTok's web version even though you won't be able to utilize the app itself.
We suggest NordVPN if you're looking for a
recommendation for TikTok.
1. Install the VPN app on your
smartphone. Popular operating systems including Windows, MacOS, Android, and
iOS are all compatible with NordVPN. You have two options for accessing the
website: directly or via app stores.
2. Open the app and sign in. Then,
connect to a server in a location where TikTok is not prohibited or subject to
censorship, such as the EU, the US, or Australia.
3. Go to the TikTok website once
your VPN is linked to a nation that supports the app. From this point, you can
access your current account or create a new one. Just keep in mind that whether
using a Computer or a mobile device, you must accomplish this using a browser
like Chrome or Safari.
TikTok installation instructions for iPhone (or iPad)
1.
As they can make a few quick adjustments in the
App Store, users of Apple iOS devices will find it rather straightforward to
download the TikTok software. To get TikTok operating on your phone if you have
an iPhone or iPad and reside in a nation that has outlawed it, follow these
instructions:
2.
Click on your
profile photo on the right side of the App Store screen after opening it.
3. Choose the account settings and tap on your name and email.
4. After selecting "Country/Region," click "Change
Country or Area."
5. Browse through the available options and select a nation that
has not banned the app.
6. To accept the terms and conditions, press "Agree."
7. Choose the payment option "None" and fill out the
billing address field with a location in the nation of your choice.
8. Press "Next" once, then "Done."
You should be able to locate and download the TikTok app on your iPhone or iPad as usual now that your location in the App Store has been updated.
Once your program has been downloaded, you can log in by connecting to
a VPN server in a nation that is not blocked.
9. Press
"Next" before "Done."
You should be able to locate and download the TikTok app on your iPhone or iPad as usual now that your location in the App Store has been updated.
Once your
program has been downloaded, you can log in by connecting to a VPN server in a
nation that is not blocked.
How to install TikTok on an Android device?
By preventing hardware Identifiers for the Android OS in the Google Play Store, Google extended the restriction.
This implies that you must perform a factory reset on your Android phone before using the software.
Your hardware ID will be
deleted by this reset.
You may
download and install TikTok on your Android phone by downloading the official
APK file from the internet.
Make sure you have a backup because executing a factory reset deletes all of your phone's data and settings.
Then adhere to the directions below.
1. Locate
the "Install apps from external sources" option under
"Settings" > "Security."
2. Click on
your preferred browser, such as Google Chrome.
3. Turn on
the "Allow app installs" setting.
4. Just
after that, open your browser and look for "TikTok APK." A few
trustworthy places to find TikTok APK downloads are: Apkpure.com,
AndroidAPKsBox
5. After
downloading the file, open it and install the app on your smartphone by
following the on-screen instructions.
APK files should only be downloaded from reliable websites, such as the ones indicated above.
As long as you get APK files from a reliable source and ensure that the
file you're trying to install is the one you downloaded, they are completely
safe to use.
Using an APK file only has one disadvantage: you're downloading a particular version of the application.
This means that, instead of being able to update the app
straight from the Play Store, you'll need to look for the most recent TikTok
APK file online to replace your existing one.
Why is TikTok banned in some countries?
Because every circumstance depends on the intricate politics of the region, it is difficult to predict if TikTok will continue to be prohibited in some nations.
For instance, TikTok was thought to be illegal in the US, but this was never done.
On the other side, Pakistan has repeatedly banned TikTok before lifting the restrictions.
Australia appears to be in a different circumstance, and it
appears that the prohibition will remain in place for some time.
If other nations determine the app poses a serious security risk to their citizens, they may also decide to outlaw it.
The duration of these prohibitions will likely be determined by the findings of ongoing research and
TikTok's response to these issues.
Best TikTok Alternatives in Australia and the USA
Although TikTok is forbidden in Australia, you can still access its web application by using a reliable VPN.
Although this gives a rather constrained experience, you can switch to a full-fledged TikTok substitute.
The first and most obvious
options are Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.
In addition, a lot of in-house short-video apps include capabilities comparable to those of TikTok.
Two of the most well-liked ones that are accessible on both
Android and iPhone are listed below.
Lomotif
In contrast to TikTok, Lomotif has several features, including the ability to edit slideshows and apply hyperlapse to videos.
Also, you can edit video clips together, add music, and make collages and montages with the software.
With the built-in editor, you can modify your videos and add GIFs, emojis, stickers, and filters.
In the Lomotif
app's community feature, you may post videos and look for friends. Both iOS and
Android users can get this app.
Triller
Triller allows you to edit and produce videos with a variety of filters.
Triller's AI editing technology is used frequently to produce dance or lip-syncing videos as well as music videos.
Around 120 million downloads of Triller have been made by its approximately 26
million global users.
What Dangers Arise from Using TikTok?
Bans of seemingly benign social media apps across the nation don't just happen randomly.
Users of TikTok run some serious hazards.
These include the app's security flaws that are present in various versions.
Although TikTok frequently patches
these problems, they do leave your device and the data on it vulnerable while
waiting for a fix.
The degree of access required for the software to operate raised another question.
This includes the clipboard access in iOS 14 that was employed to identify individuals who copied the same comment to many accounts on the same device.
Apple, however, later removed the function and corrected the issue.
Additional
issues with TikTok include banned content, censorship in some places, the
vulnerability of youngsters using the app, and risky internet obstacles.
How to Keep Yourself Safe on TikTok?
There are
several options you may change within the app if you want to continue using
TikTok while remaining as secure as possible.
Some of
them are as follows:
- Switch to a private account.
- Enable restricted mode.
- Opt-out of personalized data.
- Switch all safety settings to “Friends.”
- Change the “allow others to find me” option.
Although some of these configuration adjustments are a matter of personal preference, parents should pay close attention to these choices to safeguard children on TikTok.
Thankfully, TikTok released improved privacy settings for young users in August 2021.
But it's still up for debate whether or not these rules actually work in the real world.
However, TikTok changed its privacy policy in 2022, making it impossible for users to reject tailored adverts.
This
modification has been ruled unlawful by the Italian Data Protection Authority
because it does not adhere to GDPR.
Conclusion
You should now be able to utilize TikTok in Australia and other countries, thanks to the information on this page.
In a nutshell, you can either modify your iOS
App Store settings or download the software using an APK file on an Android
device.
Yet, it's equally crucial to be aware of the privacy hazards when using TikTok.
It shares a lot of your phone's data with other third-party apps, which is a huge warning sign.
To ensure a secure experience, it is always advisable to manage the privacy settings stated above.
This is particularly crucial for protecting
children's online safety.
Also, a VPN should be used at all times for increased online protection and privacy. NordVPN, which provides all the features you require at an affordable price, is our top suggestion.
Also, you have the option of a free trial before making a
purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download TikTok even though it is prohibited in my nation?
Yes, you can still get TikTok on your phone by either adjusting your iPhone's location settings or downloading the APK file on an Android device.
A VPN is necessary if
you wish to access the service.
How safe is TikTok?
TikTok and other social media programs that give you access to a sizable online user community carry several privacy dangers.
You can change your settings to
preserve your privacy if you're hesitant to use TikTok on your phone or have a
child who is interested in using the app.
Why is TikTok forbidden?
For various reasons, TikTok is prohibited in several nations.
Australia has
decided to prohibit the app because it believes the users and national
security are at risk from the app and the data it collects.
Due to similar concerns, the app is being looked into by other nations.
TikTok is also
prohibited in some regions of the world due to videos that support ideas and
lifestyles that are against the law in those regions.
Which VPN service is ideal for TikTok?
NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark are a few of the top VPNs for TikTok.
These VPNs are
accessible on iOS and Android devices in addition to your computer.
A tight no-logging policy, a variety of high-quality server locations, helpful customer service, and limitless bandwidth are some things you should seek in a VPN company.
It's also a wonderful idea to have some kind of money-back guarantee in case the VPN doesn't work out for you.