The suspension of TikTok operations in the United States has led to an unprecedented spike in the use of Virtual Private Network (VPN) services.
On January 18, 2025, just hours before the federal ban took effect, ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, halted its services, prompting a massive surge in VPN downloads as users sought to bypass the restrictions.
According to reports, VPN usage in the U.S. saw a staggering 1566% spike within minutes of TikTok’s shutdown. This surge marked a historic moment for the VPN industry, highlighting the platform’s vast popularity and its role in users’ digital routines. While VPN usage in the U.S. had already been trending upward—showing a 30% year-over-year increase—the TikTok ban amplified this growth to an extraordinary level.
However, the rush to VPNs proved short-lived for many. ByteDance’s restriction extended beyond IP addresses, targeting all U.S.-based accounts, rendering VPNs ineffective for accessing TikTok. Despite this limitation, VPN demand has remained elevated, maintaining a 1400% increase compared to the previous year.
