VPNs Fail At Circumventing TikTok Ban For Many Users—Here’s What We Know

Forbes - Jan 19th, 2025
Open on Forbes

Despite expectations that virtual private networks (VPNs) could help bypass the nationwide ban on TikTok in the United States, users are finding limited success with this method. The app appears to block accounts registered with U.S. phone numbers or uses geolocation data to identify users' locations, as reported by NBC and Reuters. This technical difficulty mirrors the situation in India, where users circumventing a TikTok ban often require both a VPN and a non-local SIM card. The Supreme Court recently upheld the ban, which was enacted by legislation signed by President Joe Biden in April, aimed at preventing the Chinese government from potentially spying on Americans through the Chinese-owned app.

The ban has sparked debate over privacy and freedom of speech, with TikTok challenging the decision in court as a First Amendment violation. Despite the ban, former President Donald Trump hinted at a possible reprieve, suggesting a 90-day extension for the app's sale to a U.S. company after he takes office. This development suggests a potential return of TikTok to the U.S. market while a sale is negotiated. The story highlights ongoing tensions between the U.S. government and Chinese-owned tech companies, as well as the challenges of regulating digital platforms in an interconnected world.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The news story provides a comprehensive overview of the TikTok ban and the potential use of VPNs as a workaround, drawing on a range of credible sources. However, it could benefit from a more balanced presentation of perspectives, particularly by highlighting the limitations and potential legal risks associated with VPN use. While the quality of sources is generally high, the story would be strengthened by more explicit citations of primary legal documents and statements from key stakeholders. Transparency is another area for improvement, as the story would benefit from clearer disclosure of the sources and methodologies underlying its claims. Finally, the clarity could be enhanced by better structuring the information to separate technical, legal, and political aspects, ensuring a neutral and professional tone throughout. Overall, the story effectively informs readers about the situation but could improve in several areas to provide a more nuanced and comprehensive analysis.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The news story accurately reflects the key aspects of the TikTok ban, drawing on facts corroborated by various sources. For instance, it correctly notes the use of VPNs as a potential workaround, aligning with information from sources like Business Insider and CyberNews, which discuss the technical limitations of using VPNs for TikTok access. However, some elements of the story could be misleading or require further clarification. For example, the mention of a Supreme Court decision upholding the ban is not supported by the current legal status as described by Annie Lab. Additionally, the assertion that TikTok could be using geolocation to block users is speculative and not thoroughly substantiated by the cited sources. Overall, while the story provides a realistic overview of the situation, it could benefit from clearer distinctions between confirmed facts and speculative elements.

6
Balance

The story attempts to present a balanced view by including different perspectives on the TikTok ban, such as the potential for VPN use and the legal challenges posed by TikTok. However, it leans slightly towards the narrative of VPNs as a solution, without adequately addressing the limitations and potential legal risks involved. While it mentions the security concerns cited by the U.S. government, it could offer more insight into TikTok's counterarguments and the broader implications for freedom of speech, as highlighted by Ohio University News. The story could improve by more evenly presenting the arguments both for and against the ban and the use of VPNs, ensuring a comprehensive discussion of the implications for users and stakeholders.

6
Clarity

The story generally communicates its main points in a straightforward manner, but there are areas where clarity could be enhanced. The structure occasionally intermingles technical explanations with legal updates, which might confuse readers unfamiliar with either topic. Additionally, the language used when discussing potential outcomes, such as the role of VPNs, sometimes lacks nuance, potentially leading to misunderstandings about their effectiveness and legal standing. Improving the logical flow by clearly delineating between the technical, legal, and political aspects would enhance readability. A more neutral tone, free from speculative or emotive language, would also contribute to a clearer and more professional presentation.

8
Source quality

The story references a range of credible sources, such as Forbes, Reuters, and NBC, which are well-regarded for their reporting on technology and legal issues. These sources provide a solid foundation for the claims made, particularly regarding the technical aspects of VPN use and the legal context of the TikTok ban. The inclusion of expert opinions from institutions like the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay adds depth to the technical discussion. However, the story could enhance its credibility by more directly citing primary legal documents or statements from involved parties, such as TikTok or U.S. government officials, to corroborate key claims about the legal proceedings and decisions.

5
Transparency

The news story does not fully disclose the basis for some of its claims, particularly regarding the technical and legal intricacies of the VPN workaround and the TikTok ban. While it provides an overview of VPN functionality, it lacks detailed explanations of the specific technical or legal mechanisms by which TikTok might enforce its restrictions. Furthermore, the story could benefit from clearer attribution of its sources and methodology, particularly when discussing speculative elements like geolocation tracking. Transparency would be improved by explicitly stating the limitations of the information provided and acknowledging areas where speculation or incomplete data might influence the narrative.

Sources

  1. https://cybernews.com/tech/vpn-for-tiktok-will-it-help-access-tiktok-after-the-ban/
  2. https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/tiktok-ban-vpn-workarounds-2025-1
  3. https://annielab.org/2024/04/12/analysis-us-tiktok-bill-does-not-criminalize-the-use-of-vpn/
  4. https://www.ohio.edu/news/2025/01/banning-tiktok-turning-point-u-s-data-security-or-threat-free-speech
  5. https://www.cjr.org/the_media_today/tiktok_ban_supreme_court_trump_latest.php