On a technical level, how is TikTok being blocked/banned in the US?
Can I still sideload the app to my phone? Is it only being banned from the two big app stores? Is there a penalty for being found in possession of the software on US soil?
On a technical level, how is TikTok being blocked/banned in the US?
Can I still sideload the app to my phone? Is it only being banned from the two big app stores? Is there a penalty for being found in possession of the software on US soil?
Afaik you should still be able to sideload it and use the service with a VPN
So are American ISPs being forced to block TikTok’s server’s IPs?
afaik the legislation doesn’t include active blocking of a qualifying service’s (which includes tiktok by name, but is not limited to only it or bytedance) traffic…
it only prohibits the distribution of their ‘apps’ (such as via google/apple ‘stores’)–this is the part that does most the heavy lifting, and hosting of their services within the u.s.
No, US is not blocking it (there isn’t even infrastructure in place for such a request, we don’t have a “Great Firewall of China”)
However, the VPN is required because reportedly TikTok themselves will stop allowing US based users to see content which is above and beyond what the law calls for
The firewall is the 3 megacorps that own all other ISPs. It just takes a phone call.
Good thing we live a country with plenty of good honorable ISPs. Xfinity, Verizon and uhh… What’s that other one that offers 10mbps for $200/m?
I dont think any ISP will be forced to given that both the current and next WH have said they won’t enforce a ban. If it goes dark, it’ll be TikTok themselves blocking access
Edit: called it
No
No
It will probably be removed from DNS (and appstores). Google IANA , and DNS if you want to know more.
PS Ofc the company itself will stop its services. It’s not like they want beef with a whole country (any, not just US).
I’m not an expert. Removing it from DNS would stop anyone using that DNS from accessing it, right? So if I’m in Australia, using a US DNS, I wouldn’t be able to access it. And vice versa- Anyone in the US could just change their DNS to something outside the US.
Yea. DNS is just an address book (name to IP). There’s a bit more to how it is structured, but it’s not that complicated.
Actually thinking about it, they would not have to remove the “domain” (tiktok.com or whatever it is), they (tiktok) would just have to stop using it for business. They could like put a banner that says “tiktok is no longer avalible here” or whatever.
Other part is IP. As you said, you could just change what dns server your phone asks for IPs and use it like normal. The government could block the IP at the big nodes going out of the country. Then you would have to use a vpn. Idk what they (usa or tiktok) have done, but I know tiktok will not actively try to skirt around it and will remove themselves. I would expect someone stupid like musky to try something, but big companies are usually serious.
Anyway, they can’t stop vpns. But vpns are a pain for regular folk.
Unlikely