Donald Trump has taken charge as the US President in his second term, and has given 75 days to TikTok to comply with America’s rules. Owing to the concerns about national security, the US Supreme court had upheld the law that bans the app. If the app is banned, the US will become the first country outright to ban the social media platform, after India.

The US is not the first one, fearing the sensitive information being transmitted to China, there are several other countries which have taken action against TikTok. It has been accused of collecting more user data than any other social media companies. TikTok is owned by Chinese tech company Bytedance, it holds its stance of being run independently and not supplying any user information to Chinese government.

Still, countries being cautious beforehand, over the company’s close ties with Chinese government have chosen to restrict TikTok in their territories. Especially, on government platforms and devices used by the civil servants for data protection of confidential information and their administration. Here is the complete list featuring countries which have restricted TikTok and why:

India

India would have been the first country to impose a ban on TikTok five years ago in 2020. Amidst rising tensions between the neighboring nations back then, India banned the app citing privacy and security concerns. Not only TikTok, India restricted a dozen Chinese apps including WeChat, Xander and others.

The Chinese troops clashed with Indian jawans at the disputed Himalaya border, breaking the peace treaty and killing over 20 soldiers of the latter. Quickly after this, India banned the app. TikTok was given time to respond to the privacy and security demands of Indian Government. But in 2021, the ban was made permanent.

New Zealand

The nation announced to ban TikTok from the phones of Government lawmakers by the end of March 2023. Though, it doesn’t apply to all government workers, only on 500 employees who work in the Parliament complex. As of now, the Government doesn’t intend to impose a complete ban on TikTok in the country.

France

The French Government banned the installation and use of apps like TikTok, Netflix and others on the work phones of the 2.5 million civil servants of the country. The ban was imposed citing the apps meant for “recreational purpose” and called it to be a “binding” instruction. It does not apply to the personal phone of employees.

The government called these kind of apps a risk to data protection and cybersecurity of the country’s administration and civil servants.

United Kingdom

In March 2023, the UK’s House of Commons immediately issued an immediate ban of Tikor on official Government devices. It was termed to be a “precautionary move” to ensure cybersecurity in Government functioning. The ban came after a report by UK’s National Cyber Security Center that found “there could be a risk around how sensitive government data is accessed and used by certain platforms.”

Before TikTok, UK has earlier banned the use of other Chinese-owned technology like Huawei. It delayed with TikTok, the ban took time compared to ally nations.

Australia

For security reasons, the Australian Government banned TikTok from all government owned devices. A notice issued by the Attorney General’s department said that the app is a threat to privacy and security due to “extensive collection of user data and exposure to extrajudicial directions from a foreign government that conflicts with Australian law.”

The announcement was made on 4^th April 2023, and was to come in effect “as soon as practicable.”

EU Institutions

The top functioning bodies of the European Union, which includes the European Parliament, European commission and the EU Council, all have banned TikTok on devices used by staff. Citing the same security reasons, the ban took effect on March 20, 2023. Also, the institutions firmly recommended to the members of parliament and the staff to remove the app from their personal devices as well.

The European commission was also going to launch a formal investigation on the platform for the potential breaches of the Digital Services Act (DSA).

Canada

Due to foreign interference concerns, the federal Government of Canada ordered TikTok to wind up its operations in the country. Two offices of the platform in Toronto and Vancouver were decided to shut down after the advice from Canada’s security and intelligence experts. The citizens could still use and create content on the app.

The Government, however banned TikTok from all government issued devices, saying the app presents an “unacceptable” risk to privacy and security. It also blocked the employees from downloading the app in future.

Albania

In the end of 2024, Albania had issued a year- long ban on TikTok, coming into effect early 2025. It didn’t have any security concerns or fear of company’s link with the Chinese authorities. But Albania banned the app on the domestic issues of violence it faced. The platform was held responsible for rising cases of violence and bullying among the young people of the country.

The Prime Minister, in the town hall meeting said that, “TikTok would be fully closed for all. There will be no TikTok in the Republic of Albania.”

Estonia

In the end of March 2023, it was announced that TikTok would be banned from smartphones issued by the state to its public officials in Estonia. Reports also stated that during the Romanian Presidential elections, the app was manipulated to provide advantage to the right wing candidate. However, in December it was made clear that the app won’t be really banned in the country.

Netherlands

The country discouraged use of all apps from “countries with an aggressive cyber programme targeted at the Netherlands or Dutch interests” on the devices issued by the government. TikTok wasn’t named, yet after the recommendation, investigations were followed by the AIVD the National Investigation Agency. AIVD warned over the apps from countries like China, Russia, North Korea and Iran having a “heightened risk of espionage.”

Only those apps, software and features were to be installed in the phones that were authorized previously by the state.

Norway

The Justice Ministry warned not to install TikTok on phones issued to the civil servants. After which, the Norwegian Parliament banned TikTok from government issued work devices. The risk assessment followed revealed China and Russia as major risk factors for the Norwegian Security interests.

TikTok could only be used on devices not connected to the Government network. Municipal employees in Oslo and Bergen were urged to remove TikTok from the work phones.

Belgium

Worrying about cybersecurity, privacy and misinformation, Belgium announced to ban TikTok on devices owned or paid by Federal Government for at least six months from March 10, 2023. The security service and cybersecurity center warned could use the data and tweak algorithms that will manipulate news content and feed.

TikTok cited the allegations to be misinformation at that time and was readily available to talk and address the concerns, if any.

Denmark

The Defense Ministry of Denmark in 2023, announced to ban of use of TikTok on all official units as a cybersecurity measure. The Center for Cybersecurity assessed over the app’s risk of espionage. There were security considerations and a limited work-related need to use the app, following which the employees were told to uninstall it.    

Taiwan

Taiwan banned TikTok from use in public sector after a warning by FBI that it posed risk to national security. It is not allowed to use some Chinese made software like TikTok on Government devices.

Pakistan

Since October 2020, the Pakistani authorities have banned TikTok temporarily, at least four times. It concerned over the app promoting immoral content.

Afghanistan

Under the Taliban leadership, the Afghanistan government banned TikTok and online game PUBG in the year 2022. It said that the app was misleading the youth of the country.

Mostly, the countries that have banned TikTok are concerned about the app stealing the user data and invading privacy. Moreover, it breaches the national security of a particular country, maybe supplying to the Chinese authorities. If not imposing a complete ban, most of them have restricted it from being operated in the public sector and the devices associated. If the app is engaged in all such practices, then it is unfair and unethical and against consumer privacy, the larger picture is it is more of s threat to the other country involoved. It is more sort of a digital trap that is used as a weapon to destruct another country.