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Coverage dated January 11, 2025 to January 18, 2025

VPNs not a workaround for U.S. TikTok ban

Headline from NBC News, on the newest of 4 developments

U.S. TikTok users hoping to find a workaround to access the banned app are finding that virtual private networks are no help, hinting that the company has taken extra precautions to ensure Americans are not able to avoid the ban.

NBC News's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Earlier updates in this story

Developments in this update

4 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

  1. TikTok’s Getting Banned—And Social Media Can’t Stop Joking

    Headline from Forbes ·

  2. Local digital marketer talks impact of looming TikTok ban

    Headline from KOB 4 ·

  3. Worried about the TikTok ban? This is how it might look on your phone

    Headline from Digital Trends ·

  4. Newest

    VPNs not a workaround for U.S. TikTok ban

    Headline from NBC News ·

1 report not tied to one development ·

Read the reports

Reports & sources

49 articles, oldest first.

  1. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

    TikTok could be banned this month. Here's how to prepare (opens NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)

    Published

    NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth's feed description

    TikTok could vanish from U.S. app stores by Jan. 19. If you're an avid user, here’s what you need to know to prepare.

  2. The Daily Dot

    'Worse than banning it': TikTok gags over news Musk might buy it (opens The Daily Dot)

    Published

    The Daily Dot's feed description

    Elon Musk is reportedly in preliminary talks about purchasing TikTok ahead of the ban deadline. But the platform's users are not onboard.

  3. CBS News

    What would happen to TikTok on my phone if the app is banned? (opens CBS News)

    Published

    CBS News's feed description

    A law that could ban TikTok in the U.S. is set to take effect on Jan. 19. Here's what that would mean for users of the social media platform.

  4. Digital Trends

    Will a VPN work on the TikTok ban? Here’s everything you need to know (opens Digital Trends)

    Published

    Digital Trends's feed description

    If you regularly use TikTok and are worried about the upcoming ban, then you may want to check out how to use a VPN to get around the ban.

  5. Forbes

    What Could Happen If TikTok Gets Banned In The U.S.? (opens Forbes)

    Published

    Forbes's feed description

    The looming TikTok ban could force 170 million Americans to find new ways to create and consume short-form video content.

  6. Forbes

    TikTok’s Getting Banned—And Social Media Can’t Stop Joking (opens Forbes)

    Published

    Forbes's feed description

    The TikTok ban is approaching, and while some people are worried, even more are taking to social media to joke and make memes. Here

  7. Reason

    So...is TikTok really getting banned? (opens Reason)

    Published

    Reason's feed description

    With the Supreme Court appearing poised to uphold a ban on the app, creators seem split between denial and pure panic.

  8. Digital Trends

    Here’s what will happen to the TikTok app if it shuts down this Sunday (opens Digital Trends)

    Published

    Digital Trends's feed description

    If TikTok is banned on January 19, users in the U.S. could see their access abruptly shut off, but they'll be able to retrieve their personal data.

  9. Insider

    TikTok tells US employees they'll still have jobs even if the app gets banned (opens Insider)

    Published

    Insider's feed description

    In a memo sent to staff on Tuesday, TikTok reassured its US employees that they would still have jobs even if a ban goes through.

  10. Time

    Will You Still Be Able to Use TikTok If It's Banned? (opens Time)

    Published

    Time's feed description

    Experts break down whether users will be able to use a VPN to access TikTok, and whether Trump will intervene.

  11. FOX 5 New York

    TikTok ban update: Here's what you need to know (opens FOX 5 New York)

    Published

    FOX 5 New York's feed description

    Will TikTok actually be banned? What to know as Jan. 19 looms

  12. NBC Chicago

    When could TikTok be banned? Latest timing and what to expect as deadline looms (opens NBC Chicago)

    Published

    NBC Chicago's feed description

    The future of the popular social media app TikTok hangs in the balance as the Supreme Court weighs a potential ban, but when could users know what will happen?

  13. ABC 7 Chicago

    TikTok is set to be banned Sunday | Here's what it means for you (opens ABC 7 Chicago)

    Published

    ABC 7 Chicago's feed description

    Here's what we know - and what we don't - about the TikTok ban deadline day.

  14. WSVN Miami

    TikTok is set to be banned Sunday. Here’s what it means for you - WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports (opens WSVN Miami)

    Published

    WSVN Miami's feed description

    New York (CNN) — The clock is ticking down on TikTok in America.A law that requires TikTok to find a new, non-Chinese owner or face a ban

  15. KOB 4

    Local digital marketer talks impact of looming TikTok ban (opens KOB 4)

    Published

    KOB 4's feed description

    The TikTok ban is set to go into effect Sunday, but it's all up to U.S. Supreme Court justices to make the final decision.

  16. The Hollywood Reporter

    Whatever Happens to TikTok, Big Tech Is Coming for Its Millions of Creators (opens The Hollywood Reporter)

    Published

    The Hollywood Reporter's feed description

    Big tech wants to lure TikTok stars to their platforms, whether it is banned or not.

  17. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

    A TikTok ban is just days away. Here's a list of other apps available (opens NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)

    Published

    NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth's feed description

    The Supreme Court on Friday unanimously upheld the federal law banning TikTok beginning Jan. 19 unless it’s sold by its China-based parent company, ByteDance.

  18. CBS News

    Why is TikTok getting banned? What (opens CBS News)

    Published

    CBS News's feed description

    U.S. officials have long feared that the widely popular short-form video app could be used as a vehicle for espionage.

  19. KTVZ Bend

    TikTok is set to be banned Sunday. Here’s what it means for you (opens KTVZ Bend)

    Published

    KTVZ Bend's feed description

    By Clare Duffy, CNN New York (CNN) — The clock is ticking down on TikTok in America. A law that requires TikTok to find a new, non-Chinese owner or face a ban is scheduled to go into effect Sunday — and there is little indication the company is set to pull off a sale before

  20. Forbes

    Top 15 TikTok Accounts: Here (opens Forbes)

    Published

    Forbes's feed description

    TikTok plans to shut U.S. operations on Sunday, when a federal ban is set to take effect.

  21. Forbes

    TikTok Faces A Ban Sunday—Here’s What Users Can Do If The App Becomes Unavailable In The US (opens Forbes)

    Published

    Forbes's feed description

    The full scope of how the ban would impact TikTok’s user functions is still unclear, as a lawyer arguing on behalf of the app said it would go dark by Jan. 19.

  22. Insider

    TikTok ban: VPN workarounds present significant compromises for users (opens Insider)

    Published

    Insider's feed description

    The TikTok ban is upon us and we've examined the pros and cons of using a VPN to access the app going forwards.

  23. Digital Trends

    It’s official — TikTok can be banned in the U.S. (opens Digital Trends)

    Published

    Digital Trends's feed description

    The U.S. Supreme Court has reached a unanimous decision that TikTok either needs to be banned or sold in the U.S.

  24. Al Jazeera

    What to know about TikTok’s looming US ban (opens Al Jazeera)

    Published

    Al Jazeera's feed description

    TikTok is due to shut down in the US on Sunday, but a reprieve from the White House seems likely.

  25. CNET

    Downloads, Trump and VPNs: Everything to Know Before the TikTok Ban (opens CNET)

    Published

    CNET's feed description

    The law will go into effect Sunday, so here's what could happen.

Showing the first 25 of 38 headlines. ·

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.

VPNs not a workaround for U.S. TikTok ban | Since Then