Fact check: TikTok still accessible in the US, but some are pushing for nationwide ban

BrieAnna J. Frank, USA TODAY
·3 min read

The claim: A TikTok ban has passed

A March 27 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) claimed one of the most popular phone apps is no longer accessible.

“TikTok ban has passed,” reads the post. “I am heart broken. I’ve learned so much being on there … YouTube it is.”

The post was shared more than 300 times in two days.

Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks

Our rating: False

TikTok is still available in the U.S., though some employers and schools around the nation have banned it on their devices. Some legislators are advocating for a nationwide ban on the app because of security concerns due to its links to China.

TikTok remains in US,  but future unclear amid security concerns

TikTok’s app and website were still accessible in the U.S. as of March 30.

Its future in the country is unclear, however, as some legislators are pushing for a ban over its ties to China. Lawmakers have proposed multiple bills that would ban TikTok in the U.S.

More: A US TikTok ban is gaining support in Congress. Why some say that would hurt free speech.

The Chinese company ByteDance owns TikTok, which has triggered concerns from the U.S. government that TikTok could give Americans' user data to the Chinese government or be subjected to Chinese propaganda, as reported by USA TODAY. The U.S. has threatened to ban the app unless it is sold and no longer under the purview of Chinese owners.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testified before Congress on March 23 and asserted the company is not owned or controlled by the Chinese government, as reported by the Washington Post. He touted “Project Texas,” an initiative by the company that he said works to protect U.S. user data from "unauthorized foreign access."

People gather for a press conference about their opposition to a TikTok ban on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on March 22, 2023.
People gather for a press conference about their opposition to a TikTok ban on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on March 22, 2023.

Though a nationwide ban has not gone into effect, some employers and schools have taken steps to restrict TikTok's use on their respective devices or campuses.

That includes the U.S. government, which banned federal employees from using the app on government-issued phones, and an array of states that have enacted a similar ban on state-owned devices, according to the Associated Press.

The University of Wisconsin System has also banned the app on school-owned devices, the outlet reported. The Florida Board of Governors on March 28 approved a regulation that would allow the state to ban TikTok on public university campuses, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times.

A slew of other public universities around the nation have implemented similar measures, NBC News reported.

USA TODAY reached out to the user who shared the claim for comment.

Our fact-check sources:

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here.

Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook. 

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: No nationwide TikTok ban as of March 30

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories