Will TikTok be banned in the USA?
With over a billion people using TikTok every month, it's one of the world's most popular social media apps.
In April 2024, US President Joe Biden approved a law that could see TikTok banned in America due to concerns that the app might share user data with the Chinese government – a claim it has always denied.
On Saturday 18 January 2025, the app stopped working for American users after the law banning it on national security grounds came into effect.
However, a day later TikTok resumed services to US users after President-elect Donald Trump said he would issue an executive order to give the app a reprieve when he takes office.
This short video explains what happened back in April and what the new law means for UK users.
US President Joe Biden has approved a law that could see TikTok banned in America - but why, and what does it mean for you?
TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, the US introduced the law due to concerns TikTok was sharing user data with the Chinese government - something it has always denied.
The law now gives ByteDance nine months to sell its part ownership of the app, or the app will be blocked in the US.
Following the decision, TikTok boss Shou Zi Chew said the “facts and the constitution” were on their side. TikTok added in a statement that it had ‘invested billions of dollars to keep U.S. data safe and the platform free from outside influence and manipulation’.
So, does this mean TikTok could completely disappear in America very soon? Well not necessarily. Experts say that any legal challenge by ByteDance will delay the process, so it could take several years for the app to be blocked in the US.
Does this ban affect UK users? Well, TikTok is banned on UK government electronic devices following a security review last year, however, there is nothing to suggest that the UK will follow America in exploring a total ban.
TikTok is owned by a Chinese company called ByteDance, and the law has been introduced due to concerns that the app might share user data with the Chinese government – which it denies.
When will TikTok be banned in the USA?
In April 2024, US President Joe Biden approved a law that could see TikTok being banned in America. This law required ByteDance – TikTok’s parent company - to sell its part ownership in TikTok by finding a US-approved buyer.
This new law does not forbid use of the app but could see tech giants including Apple and Google stop offering TikTok and its updates on their platforms which researchers suggest would stop use of the app altogether over time.
Bytedance previously ignored the law requiring it to sell its US operations to avoid a ban but after the law was upheld by the US Supreme Court on Friday 18 January, the app stopped working for US users the following day.
However, on Sunday 20 January TikTok said that it was in the process of "restoring service" after Trump, who had previously backed a ban, promised to delay implementation of the law and allow more time for a deal to be made.
What did TikTok do about the law?
In April, TikTok made its arguments against the law before a three-judge panel at a Washington DC appeals court. Representatives from the company were joined by eight TikTok creators who said they rely on the platform to market their products and make a living. TikTok boss Shou Zi Chew was confident that the American TikTok ban won’t be enforced. "The facts, and the Constitution, are on our side… rest assured, we aren't going anywhere" he said. TikTok added in a statement that it had "invested billions of dollars to keep U.S. data safe" and the platform "free from outside influence and manipulation".
Earlier in January, the court saw ByteDance and the US government share their cases as to why TikTok should/should not be banned.
Will TikTok be banned in the UK?
The UK government has already banned TikTok on government devices due to cybersecurity concerns, but there is nothing to suggest that the UK will follow America in exploring a total ban.
This article was updated in January 2025.
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