Summary
The US TikTok ban has driven people to extreme lengths to keep using the app; it not only raises important questions about data protection but also highlights the limitations of relying on bans and restricting choice as a solution.
In the ongoing debate about banning TikTok in the United States, the government claims the app poses security risks by collecting personal data. To circumvent these bans, some individuals are resorting to extreme measures, such as purchasing iPhones pre-loaded with TikTok for a staggering $50,000. The idea of losing access to such platforms can drive people to make irrational decisions, opening the door to dangerous alternatives like the black market. "You might think 'this is just an app,' but people become attached to online services and act out of desperation when they suddenly get taken away," says cybersecurity expert McGrady. "And where there's desperation, you're sure to find criminals taking advantage. You just have to go back to the lesson of Flappy Bird."
The concept of curiosity bias is at play here. When access is restricted, people’s natural curiosity is heightened, and the desire to find ways around these barriers becomes stronger. Rather than deterring risky behaviour, bans often spark it. As of February 2025, TikTok has approximately 1.925 billion users globally - it is not unrealistic to think that others will be tempted to take matters into their own hands if similar bans are attempted in other countries. While it seems logical on the surface to protect people from themselves through restrictions, these actions inadvertently push individuals to seek out even more dangerous alternatives. Instead of relying on bans that create curiosity-driven demand for riskier behaviours, the solution lies in educating people about the risks so they have the efficacy and agency to make safer decisions—even when the riskier option is readily available to them. Ultimately, addressing the root cause of risky behaviour—curiosity and the desire for access—requires a shift toward informed decision-making, where users are better equipped to weigh the risks and rewards of their actions.