Title: Ditch TikTok: Why You Should Uninstall Your iPhone or Android App Soon
With just a week left until the potential ban on TikTok in the U.S., the media will be buzzing with coverage as the fates of 170 million American users hang in the balance. The app's arguments for a stay appear to be losing favor, but the outcome remains uncertain. Should the ban materialize, users are advised to delete TikTok from their iPhones and Androids to avoid serious consequences.
The specifics of what happens post-ban remain unclear. However, one certainty is that Apple and Google are likely to remove TikTok from their app stores, which would prevent new users from installing the app. Blocking traffic might not be an immediate approach, but users may resort to VPNs to mask their locations, as seen in areas with restrictions on porn access.
While VPNs can help circumvent the app store issue, they won't facilitate app updates. As Jake Moore from ESET points out, updated phones remotely download and install app versions, including TikTok. If the app remains unpatched, security risks will increase. Hackers may see the potential for exploits in an outdated app.
The ban would also halt app updates, leading to a degradation in the app's functionality over time. Missing out on bug fixes, new features, and security patches will put users' privacy at risk. Older app versions will become prime targets for attackers seeking exploitable vulnerabilities.
Social engineering attacks offering to save TikTok accounts and data may increase, pushing users to click on unsafe links or download malicious attachments, updates, and apps. While the app stores might not forcefully remove apps from devices, they could potentially do so if it poses a severe security risk.
A potential ban may be short-lived or never happen at all. However, considering the scenario, users should prioritize their security and privacy. ESET’s Moore suggests deleting the app, as ongoing security patches won't be available after removal from the app stores. Over time, the lack of updates will make the app increasingly vulnerable.
Post-ban, the app will lose functionality and updates, making it a prime target for attackers searching for exploitable vulnerabilities. Users may consider using VPNs to access TikTok, but updates beyond the ban will no longer be available, significantly diminishing the app's functionality and security over time.
Enrichment Data:
- Remove from App Stores: The ban will result in TikTok being removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in the U.S., preventing new downloads and updates for existing users.
- ISP Blocks: The government might require internet service providers (ISPs) to block TikTok access, rendering the app inaccessible even if it's already installed.
- Browser Restrictions: DNS filtering or similar methods could block the app's website, limiting accessibility via standard internet connections. Latest communications between US networks and TikTok's servers could also be disrupted.
- Web-Based Access: A web-based version of TikTok might still be accessible, although it would have fewer features and be subject to restrictions.
- Workarounds: Users may attempt to use VPNs to mask their location and access TikTok but may encounter limited functionality and security issues due to the unavailability of updates.
The Supreme Court is currently considering Bytedance's appeal against the potential 'porn ban' and 'tiktok ban' in the U.S., which could affect 170 million TikTok users in America. If the ban goes through, Apple and Google are expected to remove TikTok from their app stores, making 'tiktok vpn' usage a potential workaround for some users. However, 'tiktok security' risks will increase with outdated apps as Apple's remote download and installation feature won't facilitate app updates after the ban. This could lead to an influx of social engineering attacks, urging users to prioritize their 'security and privacy'.
