TikTok Ban by Country – Updated 2025 List
August 14, 2025

TikTok Ban by Country – Updated 2025 List

TL;DR

TikTok is fully banned in 11 countries, including India (2020), Albania (2025), and Afghanistan (2022), and restricted on government devices in 14 others, like the U.S. and EU, due to security and privacy concerns. Check the full list, reasons, and research below.

📋 Table of Contents

Overview

Wondering which countries have blocked TikTok or put limits on it? This guide gives you a clear list of countries that have banned TikTok—whether completely or on government devices—with strong internal linking to keep you engaged and help with SEO and topical authority. It’s written like we’re chatting over coffee, with the latest updates and research to keep you informed.

1. Countries with Full or Partial TikTok Bans

Country / Region Type of Ban / Restriction Details
China Full ban on TikTok Only Douyin is allowed inside China. The Washington Post
India Complete nationwide ban Enforced since 2020 due to data and security concerns after border tensions with China. Deutsche Welle
Albania Full ban for one year Effective March 2025 after a violent incident linked to TikTok content. AP News
Nepal Temporary ban (lifted) Enacted in late 2023, lifted in August 2024 after agreements on content regulation. The Washington Post
Afghanistan National ban Enforced in 2022 by the Taliban over concerns of youth influence and cultural misalignment. Deutsche Welle
Iran Full ban Implemented from 2019; access only possible via VPNs due to government censorship. Deutsche Welle
Uzbekistan Full ban In place since July 2021 over personal data concerns. Punch Nigeria
Russia Partial blockage Users restricted from uploading or viewing new content since March 2022 due to Ukraine conflict. Tengrinews
Kyrgyzstan Temporary ban Imposed in April 2024 over child safety concerns. Deutsche Welle
Somalia Full ban Began August 2023 to curb extremist propaganda. Punch Nigeria
Senegal Full ban Enforced in 2023 due to political content concerns. Punch Nigeria
North Korea Not accessible Internet heavily restricted, TikTok is not included. Deutsche Welle

2. TikTok Banned or Restricted on Government Devices

Several countries have imposed TikTok restrictions specifically for government-issued devices—primarily due to cybersecurity and data privacy concerns. Notable examples include:

  • United States (federal devices): Banned in 2022 on government devices, extended to officials’ devices in 2023 over fears of Chinese data access under the 2017 National Intelligence Law. U.S. Congress TIME
  • European Union (Parliament, Commission, Council staff): Restricted in 2023 to protect sensitive data. The Indian Express
  • Belgium, France, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Netherlands, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, Malta, Taiwan: All have similar restrictions since 2023, citing ByteDance’s potential data-sharing risks. The Guardian Nigeria Business Standard

3. Why These Restrictions Matter

Full bans often relate to national security, social harmony, or cultural reasons. For example, India’s 2020 ban followed border clashes with China, while Albania’s 2025 ban was triggered by a violent incident tied to TikTok content. Government-device bans focus on security, aiming to protect sensitive data from potential foreign access, particularly from China’s government via ByteDance, as noted in a 2024 CSIS report. These differences show how countries balance open access with safety and societal priorities. CSIS

4. Latest Research on TikTok Ban Impacts

Here’s what recent studies say about the bans and their effects:

  • User Demographics: Northeastern University’s CHIP50 (Jan 2025) found 41% of U.S. adults used TikTok in 2024 (up from 22% in 2020), with 170M users, mostly young and non-white. Bans could disrupt their social outlets. Northeastern
  • Public Opinion: Pew Research (March 2025) reports 34% of U.S. adults support a TikTok ban (down from 50% in 2023), with 49% citing security risks. Only 19% of TikTok users back a ban. Pew Research
  • Economic Impact: Oxford Economics (2025) estimates TikTok adds $24B yearly to the U.S. economy, supporting 200,000 jobs. Bans risk losses for creators and businesses. Oxford Economics
  • User Migration: UC Berkeley (Jan 2025) found millions shifted to RedNote (Xiaohongshu) after a brief U.S. TikTok outage, raising similar security concerns. UC Berkeley
  • Content Risks: University of Regina (2025) notes 19% of TikTok videos contain misinformation, fueling bans in Somalia and Kyrgyzstan. ProCon

5. What’s Next for TikTok Globally?

  • U.S. Outlook: The U.S. faces a September 17, 2025, deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok under PAFACA, with talks involving buyers like Microsoft or Oracle. Forbes U.S. Congress
  • Global Trends: Albania’s 2025 ban may prompt others, while Nepal’s lifted ban shows negotiation possibilities. China’s Douyin-only policy reflects tech control. AP News
  • User Options: Creators are moving to platforms like RedNote or Instagram, with VPNs as a workaround, though legal risks remain. USA Today

Which country’s ban caught you off guard? Drop a comment to share your thoughts!

6. Internal Linking for Enhanced Navigation

Final Thoughts

TikTok faces bans or restrictions in 25 countries, driven by security, cultural, or social concerns. From India’s 2020 block to Albania’s 2025 ban, the reasons vary, but the impact on users and economies is real. Stay updated as new developments drop. Got a topic you want to explore next, like “Why Is TikTok Getting Banned?” Let me know in the comments!

References