Virtual private networks aren’t helping U.S. TikTok users who are trying to figure out a way to get around the app’s prohibition, suggesting that the firm has taken extra measures to make sure Americans can’t get around it.
Internet traffic is routed through servers situated all over the world using virtual private networks, or VPNs as they are more well known. Although VPNs’ security claims are occasionally exaggerated, they can assist users in getting around corporate and governmental internet prohibitions.
Social media users said on Saturday night and Sunday morning that their attempts to access TikTok via VPNs had failed, and NBC News’ attempts had also been blocked.
Although the technical details of TikTok’s suspension are unclear, the failure of VPNs is noteworthy because they worked well when India banned the app.
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It’s unclear exactly how TikTok is identifying American users. A request for comment was not immediately answered by the business.
The fact that TikTok is barring all accounts linked to American phone numbers and the computers connected to those accounts may be one reason.
When NBC News tested a U.S. TikTok account using two VPNs on Sunday morning, the same notice that had been displayed to any U.S. user attempting to access the app since Saturday night was still displayed.
We apologize, but TikTok is not currently accessible. In the United States, a law prohibiting TikTok has been passed. Regretfully, that means you are currently unable to use TikTok. Fortunately, President Trump has stated that he will collaborate with us to find a way to bring TikTok back once he into office. Stay tuned, please!
Several VPN programs were near the top of the Apple App Store on Sunday, despite their seeming inefficiency.
According to NetBlocks, a company that monitors internet restrictions worldwide, there was no proof that any ISP was blocking the app, and TikTok was the only reason it was unavailable, rendering the service unavailable to customers in the United States.
Biden signed a measure in April requiring TikTok to separate from its Chinese parent firm, ByteDance, or face a U.S. ban. According to the law, the prohibition would be implemented by requiring the two main U.S. app stores—owned by Apple and Google—to stop carrying the software. At the moment, TikTok is not accessible at those stores.