Interest in TikTok VPNs is surging thanks to the news that Pakistan has banned TikTok for a second time in six months. Initially banned on October 9, 2020, the ban was lifted ten days later. However, in the past few days the ban has been set into affect once more.
Users in the US are luckier, with the new Biden administration putting WeChat and TikTok bans on the backburner for the time being. However, we can’t be sure if and when things may hot up again, and users in India and Pakistan are still without access.
is surging as users seek out a working TikTok VPN as a way of evading blocks on the service.
Why is TikTok being banned?
The most recent ban in Pakistan concerns ‘indecent’, ‘immoral’ and ‘unethical’ content that’s available on the platform. And, although the majority users may not agree, the government has had the final say and the app is now unavailable in app stores across the country.
TikTok was given a chance to better moderate content last October, and after a 10-day ban it was made available again, with the understanding that the owner, Chinese tech giant ByteDance, would put more effort into removing unacceptable content.
However, between now and then, it seems ByteDance has not done enough. Whether that stems from differing views on what is acceptable or that ByteDance simply didn’t do what was promised is yet to be announced (and we doubt it ever will be), but the short answer is that TikTok is now banned in Pakistan, and remains so in India.
While there’s much talk about a US-based takeover of TikTok, the reality is President Biden has shelved the US ban indefinitely. However, elsewhere TikTok could soon be history – and to concerned users, a TikTok VPN might look like a potential solution.
- See how to speed up your connections with a
- Check out the best
How might a TikTok VPN work?
A VPN works by encrypting and rerouting your internet connection through its own servers located all across the world. In effect, this means it can make you appear to be in any country of your choice.
Also, seeing as a VPN routes your traffic through its own servers and makes it invisible to your ISP, any restrictions or blocks imposed by said ISP can be avoided. That means you can access things like torrenting sites which, while legal, are blocked by most providers.
Most commonly used to access blocked streaming media (check out ourguide for more info), some users think that the same technique might also grant them access to TikTok. However, we simply can’t say for sure if any VPN will do the trick.
The downsides of TikTok VPNs
Because the TikTok ban is very new, it’s difficult to say how the process will work. Reports of TikTok VPN usage in India – where it’s been banned for some time – are unclear. Some say that VPNs are perfectly effective, while others find the restrictions impassable.
It all depends on how the Pakistan ban is implemented. While TikTok is inevitably fighting the decision, we believe Pakistan to have followed much the same route as the Indian government, which means the mobile apps will be removed from app stores and service may degrade as time passes and updates can’t be installed.
However, we highly recommend you seek out the most recent information about the legalities of the situation yourself to fully inform yourself of any risks, and no VPN services mentioned on this page claim to be either foolproof ways of accessing TikTok, or specifically designed for this purpose.
What VPNs have the best chance of unblocking TikTok?
If you live in a country where TikTok is banned (or may soon be banned) and you want to try to access the service withy a VPN, it’s worth seeking out a service that has a good track record of evading government censorship.
Also, it’s worth noting that all the following services provide 30-day risk free guarantees. So, if it turns out the VPN can’t access TikTok, you can claim you money back risk-free.
Possibly the most famous VPN around,provides a watertight security with really usable apps – plus an excellent track record of accessing restricted content in authoritarian regimes. With over 5,000 servers you’re bound to find one that provides great connection speeds, and you’ll also be able to install it on pretty much any device you own, too.
If you’re looking to save money but still get one of the best VPNs on the market,could be your best option. It works great as aand also unblocks restricted content when used as a, so it may give you a good chance with TikTok. Plus, for less than $2.50 a month, it’s also one of the cheapest services on the market.
US-basedcould be worth a test if you’re thinking of using a VPN to evade the TikTok ban. With tons of US servers plus great privacy and security, it’s one of the bestservices on the market. Plus, it’s only $2.63 a month – and itsplans aren’t bad, either.
TikTok VPN FAQ
- Keep your connections blazing-fast with the best
- In the North, you’ll need a
- If Boris follows suit, Brits might need the best, too