With only a week left before TikTok is potentially banned in the United States, a lot of coverage is expected as 170 million American users wonder what will happen next. While the mood music around the suspension seems to be turning against TikTok’s reasoning, nothing is confirmed yet. One thing is clear: if the ban does happen, all 170 million users will need to delete the app from their iPhones and Android devices, with warnings of severe consequences for those who don’t comply.
What Happens When the Ban Starts?
What exactly will happen when the ban is implemented is still unclear. We know that Apple and Google will likely remove the app from the App Store and Play Store immediately. This is the simplest and most immediate action that will prevent new users from accessing the app. ByteDance mentions that half of the US population still isn’t using the platform. Unlike ISP blocks in other countries, which have banned TikTok and other social media apps, the traffic may be blocked. This would force users to hide their locations via VPNs, similar to what we’ve seen with states restricting access to pornographic content.
The VPN Issue
Even if a VPN is used, it won’t help with the app store issue. As Jake Moore from ESET explains, “While a VPN may help access the app, Apple and Google will not allow updates or new downloads from phones registered in the US, even if a VPN is used, because the phone will still recognize its original country of installation.”
Can You Continue Using TikTok After the Ban?
The good news for TikTok users and content creators is that they may still be able to use the app after the ban. However, you really shouldn’t do that. While it may seem difficult, for your safety, you should delete the app, even if it doesn’t seem like it will be enforced legally, at least not for now. An important warning is that over time, the lack of updates will make the app essentially useless. For instance, there won’t be new updates to match newer versions of the operating system.
User Data and Privacy Concerns
There’s also the issue of user data and where it goes after the ban. Moore warns, “When it comes to TikTok, many politicians and skeptics are concerned about where the data goes. Specifically, is all that data being accessed by the Chinese government? TikTok automatically collects a lot of information from its users, such as location data, browsing history, and search history, so the fact that the US doesn’t want it in its country is not without reason.”
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The danger is that removing TikTok from the App Store will prevent any future updates, including crucial security patches. Just last month, five new versions of the app were released, automatically downloaded and installed on the billions of phones running it. While some updates bring new features, most are simply bug fixes to ensure a better experience.
Security Risks of an Outdated TikTok App
TikTok—like any popular app on your phone—has had security vulnerabilities that have led to new updates. Running an app on 170 million phones that can’t be updated poses a huge security risk. You can imagine how enticing this becomes for attackers, and how valuable an exploitable vulnerability in TikTok would be.
Social Engineering Attacks and Data Theft
I’ve warned users before that social engineering attacks around TikTok accounts and data are on the rise. These attacks trick users into clicking unsafe links or downloading malicious attachments, updates, and apps. While it’s unlikely that Apple and Google will be forced to remove the app from devices, this could change if TikTok becomes a security risk that they can’t fix.
Should You Remove TikTok for Your Safety?
It’s possible that the ban will be short-term or won’t happen at all. However, if it does, even though it may be difficult, you must prioritize your safety and privacy and remove the app. As Moore from ESET says, “Once it’s removed from the App Store, no more security patches will be rolled out. That means over time, security will deteriorate, vulnerabilities will inevitably be exploited, and phones with old versions of the app will become major targets. It will become a honey pot for attackers looking to exploit unsecured windows in millions of phones in the US.”
