That case is now resolved—if only temporarily—as TikTok just lost its bid to overturn the law that would spell its demise in the US.
On Dec 6, Federal judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia denied TikTok's arguments to strike the law, which will go into effect on Jan 19, 2025. That's one day before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has signaled general support for TikTok, despite his anti-China sentiments.
TikTok will appeal the Court of Appeals decision, and take the case to the Supreme Court. However, there's no guarantee the Supreme Court will hear the case, so as we wait for all the legal issues to resolve, now is a good time to stay two steps ahead, and ponder a fundamental question: If the ban does go into effect, could a VPN help you get around the new restrictions?
Much of the answer keys into the specific nature of the ban—namely, that app stores in the U.S. would ostensibly be forced to remove the TikTok app from their marketplaces. If that's how the ban plays out, then theoretically a VPN should put you back in business, with the caveat that you'll already need to have the TikTok app installed prior to the ban.
There's a lot to unpack here, including what the law would require of TikTok, and how technically savvy users could respond. Read on for details. And if you're looking for a VPN to make your digital life more more secure—or, who knows, preserve TikTok access—check out my
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