As the United States inches closer to a nationwide TikTok ban, legal experts are sounding the alarm for users tempted to bypass restrictions with Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
With TikTok boasting over 121 million American users, the app’s uncertain future has prompted discussions about potential legal and financial risks for those who attempt to sidestep a ban.
In an interview with Dexerto, Los Angeles-based attorney Neil Elan cautioned against using VPNs to access TikTok in the event of a government-imposed ban.
“If the law prohibits something, and you circumvent that by using a VPN, then you are in violation of the law,” Elan explained.
The Biden administration has taken aggressive measures to address national security concerns surrounding TikTok’s ownership by Chinese company ByteDance. In April 2024, President Biden signed legislation requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok to a non-Chinese entity. This move follows years of scrutiny over the platform’s data privacy practices and its ties to China.
Elan has spoken about the potential consequences for users who attempt to bypass a ban, noting that breaking such laws could lead to financial penalties or other legal ramifications.
“While it’s common for people to use VPNs to bypass restrictions, doing so in this case is risky,” Elan said. “Whether the law is strictly enforced or overlooked is uncertain, but users would be gambling with potential legal repercussions.”
Legal analysts say this warning is particularly timely as TikTok’s U.S. ban looms closer. If enacted, the ban would mark an unprecedented restriction on a social media platform in one of its largest global markets.
For now, the legal landscape surrounding VPN use in circumventing a potential TikTok ban remains murky. However, experts agree that users should think twice before risking legal trouble to access the popular app.
