TikTok ban reports see huge VPN search surge

TikTok
Image credit- TechRadar (Image credit: Future)

Rumors of an imminent ban for popular social media app TikTok has sent search traffic for VPN services booming.

Data from Google Trends has shown a huge spike in search interest in TikTok VPN searches after the Trump administration suggested a block on the Chinese-owned app is coming soon.

The US believes that connections between the app's developer ByteDance and the Chinese authorities are too close for comfort, with huge amounts of personal user data being collected by TikTok before being accessed by the latter. 

TikTok has already been banned in India following similar concerns about access to user data, with the country's government saying that stealing the data of its citizens poses a risk to national security.

  • VPN for TikTok: do they work and which is the best TikTok VPN to avoid the ban?

TikTok VPN

One leading VPN provider, NordVPN, told TechRadar Pro it had seen a 15% increase in inquiries from the US since news of the possible ban emerged over the weekend.

"Such surges are becoming the new norm, as governments all over the world are imposing more and more internet restrictions, bans, and constraints," NordVPN said in a statement.

"However, we always advise users to be careful online and question any app attempts to gain access to pictures, contacts, voice recordings, location, or other private data. People should be more vigilant and always read the privacy policy, terms of service, and be aware of who developed the app. And this applies to TikTok as well."

TikTok itself says it is committed to user privacy and job creation in the US, telling NBC News that US user data is stored in the US, with strict controls over who can access it. ByteDance has denied handing over any data to the Chinese government.

The ban could be complicated by the fact that Microsoft is pushing ahead with plans to purchase TikTok's operations in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The Redmond company had reportedly been in talks with TikTok's China-based developer ByteDance for a number of weeks. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella reportedly spoke to President Trump regarding the plans, assuring the President the purchase would be subject to a number of security and privacy improvements, including a move to store all American user data exclusively in the United States.

TOPICS
Mike Moore
Deputy Editor, TechRadar Pro

Mike Moore is Deputy Editor at TechRadar Pro. He has worked as a B2B and B2C tech journalist for nearly a decade, including at one of the UK's leading national newspapers and fellow Future title ITProPortal, and when he's not keeping track of all the latest enterprise and workplace trends, can most likely be found watching, following or taking part in some kind of sport.

Latest in VPN Privacy & Security
A computer file surrounded by red laser beams
Cover your tracks: the risk of sending unencrypted files
Using an Amazon Fire Stick on a Smart TV
How to use a VPN with Fire Stick
Close up of PS5 DualSense controller leaning on a PS5
5 reasons your PS5 needs a VPN
Tor
What is Onion over VPN?
 In this photo illustration a Google Play logo seen displayed on a smartphone.
Why is there so much spyware hidden in the Play Store?
PrivadoVPN running on an iPhone during TechRadar's VPN tests
Why PrivadoVPN Free is still the best free VPN for streaming
Latest in News
Pebble smartwatch countdown
Pebble confirms its smartwatch announcement is just hours away
Logo of YouTube Shorts
Is YouTube auto-playing Shorts when you open the app? Well, you’re not alone - here’s how to fix it
Google DeepMind panel discussion
“More sovereignty and protection” - Google goes all-in on UK AI with data residency, upskilling projects, and startup investments
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 expected to have AI upscaling and I can't wait to finally play Tears of the Kingdom with upgraded graphics
PowerColor Red Devil AMD RX 9070 XT graphics card shown side-on
Your next GPU could be from AMD, not Nvidia, if Team Red’s success with PC gamers continues
Intel Lunar Lake concept
Intel's Panther Lake processors won't arrive until Q1 2026 - corroborates previous delay rumors despite former Intel CEO's promise of 2025 launch