Updated May 2025: TikTok is still alive in the U.S.—for now. But the road here? Wild. Let’s break it all down.
1. TikTok’s American Dream: A Quick Backstory
Imagine launching a lip-sync app for teens, and in just a few years, you’re a global cultural force with over a billion users. That’s TikTok. Owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, TikTok’s meteoric rise turned it from “that dancing app” into a geopolitical powder keg.
2. When Did the Trouble Start? (Hint: It Was 2020)
2020 was the year TikTok went from fun to controversial. President Trump signed executive orders aiming to ban the app unless it sold its U.S. business to an American company.
- National security was cited
- ByteDance fought back in court
- Microsoft and Oracle showed interest but nothing solidified
3. What Was the Government Afraid Of?
In short: data. TikTok collects tons of user data. U.S. lawmakers feared this data could land in the hands of the Chinese government.
Here’s what worried them:
- Location tracking
- Device identifiers
- Behavioral patterns
- Access to camera and clipboard
4. Round One: Legal Showdown in Court
Federal judges in late 2020 blocked Trump’s TikTok ban. Why?
- Free speech concerns (First Amendment)
- Lack of due process
- Government overreach
So TikTok stayed online.
5. Biden’s Strategy: Same Concerns, New Style
President Biden didn’t kill the conversation. Instead, he revoked Trump’s executive orders in 2021 but asked the Commerce Department to investigate foreign-controlled apps.
This move led to… more investigations. But no outright ban.
6. The Reboot: 2024’s TikTok Ban Bill
Fast-forward to April 2024. Biden signs PAFACA (Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act).
- ByteDance must divest TikTok within 270 days
- No divestment? U.S. ban goes live
7. Did TikTok Actually Get Banned?
Kind of. On January 18, 2025, TikTok was briefly taken offline in the U.S. because ByteDance hadn’t found a buyer.
But guess what? Trump 2.0 entered the White House two days later and delayed the ban by 75 days.
Then in April 2025, he delayed it again. New deadline? Mid-June 2025.
8. What’s the Status Right Now?
As of May 2025:
- TikTok is still operational in the U.S.
- Legal and political battles are ongoing
- ByteDance has NOT divested
- The future? Still hanging by a thread
9. WeChat: The Other Half of the Story
You might be wondering: what about WeChat?
- Trump tried banning it in 2020
- Federal courts blocked it
- No major legal moves since
Today, WeChat works just fine in the U.S.
10. Can You Use VPNs to Access TikTok or WeChat If Banned?
Short answer: yes, technically.
Longer answer:
- Using a VPN to access banned apps might break U.S. law or app terms
- Risks include account bans or legal issues
- But many still do it
11. VPNs People Use for This (Ranked)
Here are some tested favorites:
1. NordVPN
- Obfuscation mode, strong no-logs policy
- Price: From $3.29/mo
2. ExpressVPN
- Easy UI, fast Chinese servers
- Price: $8.32/mo
12. Design Choices That Affect Your Privacy
TikTok makes certain design choices that can impact user security:
- Aggressive personalization = deep behavioral tracking
- Default camera and microphone permissions
- Syncs clipboard data (especially controversial on iOS)
These factors are key in legal scrutiny.
13. TikTok vs. Meta: The Plot Twist
Meta (Facebook, Instagram) lobbied heavily against TikTok.
- Coincidence? Probably not.
- The two compete for the same ad dollars and eyeballs
A leaked doc in 2022 revealed Meta hired a firm to smear TikTok with op-eds and school scare stories.
14. How TikTok Changed From 2020 to 2025
Some key product updates:
- 2021: Creator Fund expanded
- 2022: TikTok Shop launched in the U.S.
- 2023: 10-minute videos enabled
- 2024: Major redesign, AI-driven editing tools
Despite legal drama, TikTok has continued innovating.
15. The Big Question: Should You Still Use TikTok?
It depends on your risk tolerance. Ask yourself:
- Do you trust the app with your data?
- Are you okay with potential sudden bans?
- Are you willing to use a VPN?
If yes, carry on. If no, alternatives like YouTube Shorts or Instagram Reels might be safer bets.
Bonus: Resources & Further Reading
- TikTok Wikipedia Entry
- PAFACA Bill Summary
- NordVPN Review
- ExpressVPN Review
Final thoughts? TikTok’s not gone yet, but you’ll want to stay tuned through June. In the meantime, if you really can’t live without it, get comfy with a good VPN.
How to Use a VPN in the USA
Once you’ve signed up for a VPN service, the next step is to install the VPN client on your computer or mobile device. Most providers also offer the option to set up connections manually if you prefer.
One crucial thing to keep in mind: when using a VPN to access Chinese apps like WeChat or TikTok from the U.S., you need to connect to a server outside the United States. This allows your connection to appear as if it’s coming from another region where the apps are accessible.
Most VPN apps come with a location picker, which lets you choose your preferred server location. For example, if you’re using ExpressVPN’s desktop client, simply open the location picker and select a server based in China or Hong Kong.
For the best performance when using WeChat or TikTok, we recommend choosing a Hong Kong server or another nearby Asian region. These locations often provide better connection speeds and lower latency.