TikTok is currently available in Nepal. The Nepal government lifted its previous TikTok ban in August 2024, and the platform completed its official registration in Nepal in November 2024.
But are your browsing data safe? In this post, we explain why TikTok is popular in Nepal and how to use it safely under any network conditions.
Data source: The Kathmandu Post
Why is TikTok popular in Nepal?
DataReportal estimates that Nepal had 14.8 million social media user identities in October 2025, about half of the country’s total population. These figures represent social media identities and should not be treated as unique individual users. Data source: DataReportal
TikTok fits naturally into this active social media environment. One reason is its short-video format.
Users can quickly watch entertainment, educational videos, comedy, music, food content, travel videos, and local trends without spending much time on a single post.
The platform also makes content creation accessible. A smartphone is enough to record, edit, add music, and publish a video.
For Nepali creators, TikTok can also provide a simple way to share local culture, languages, destinations, food, music, and everyday experiences with a wider audience.
Its recommendation system also helps users discover videos from creators they may not already follow. This creates a highly personalized experience and keeps content discovery simple.
What are the risks of using TikTok on open Wi-Fi?
You may use TikTok while sitting in a café, airport, hotel, restaurant, shopping center, or another place offering free Wi-Fi. Public Wi-Fi is convenient, but you do not control how the network is configured. Most modern websites and applications use encrypted connections.
Still, a few practical risks remain.
| Risk | What can happen | Safer action |
| Wrong Wi-Fi network | You may connect to an unofficial or fake network. | Confirm the network name with staff. |
| Phishing login page | A fake page may steal your login details. | Check the site or app before signing in. |
| Staying signed in | Others may access your account on a shared device. | Sign out and avoid public computers. |
| Device theft | Someone may access your accounts and data. | Use a screen lock or biometrics. |
How to use TikTok more securely
You do not need complicated security tools to improve your TikTok experience. A few account and device settings can make a meaningful difference.
Step 1. Use a strong and unique password
Don’t reuse your TikTok password across email, banking, shopping, or other social media accounts. If another service experiences a password leak, reused credentials can make multiple accounts vulnerable. Plus, a password manager can help you generate and store unique passwords without having to remember them all yourself.
Step 2. Turn on two-step verification
Two-factor authentication, called two-step verification by TikTok, adds another verification step when someone signs in from an unfamiliar device.
TikTok currently supports verification methods including phone, email, authenticator apps, and passwords. TikTok recommends enabling two-step verification as part of its Security Checkup.
You can find it under:
Profile > Menu > Settings and privacy > Security & permissions > 2-step verification
Data source: TikTok Support
Step 3. Review your TikTok privacy settings
Your TikTok privacy settings control who can see and interact with different parts of your account.
Check settings related to:
- Private or public account status
- Comments
- Direct messages
- Mentions
- Downloads
- Duet and Stitch
- Post visibility
- Following and follower interactions
TikTok allows users to change account privacy settings, and some privacy defaults also vary by age. Review these settings occasionally because your preferences can change over time.
Step 4. Check devices connected to your account
TikTok lets you review devices that have accessed your account now or recently.
Go to:
Settings and privacy > Security & permissions > Manage devices
Remove devices you do not recognize.
If you notice suspicious access, change your password and review your account’s security activity. TikTok also provides security alerts for unusual activity.
Step 5. Be careful with links and messages
A message claiming that your account will be deleted, verified, suspended, or rewarded may try to pressure you into clicking a link.
Do not enter passwords or verification codes through links sent by unknown accounts.
Open TikTok directly and check notifications or settings inside the official app if you receive a suspicious security message.
Step 6. Review location permissions
TikTok explains that location information may come from device Location Services where available, as well as signals such as IP address, SIM region, and system settings. Data source: TikTok Support
Hence, check your phone’s app permissions and give TikTok only the location access you are comfortable providing. Avoid posting your exact live location, home address, regular travel route, or other information that could reveal more about your movements than you intend.
Step 7. Keep TikTok and your phone updated
Software updates often include bug fixes and security improvements.
Keep TikTok, your phone’s operating system, browser, and other important applications updated.
Download TikTok from an official app store, not unknown websites or unofficial application packages.
Step 8. Use a VPN for connection privacy when appropriate
A VPN app can create an encrypted connection between your device and a VPN server. This can add another layer of connection privacy when using shared networks.
Traffic routed through the VPN also normally appears to online services as coming from the VPN server’s public IP rather than your regular public IP. Still, a VPN does not make your TikTok activity anonymous.
It does not hide information connected to your TikTok account, content you publish, cookies, device information, or location data provided through other permissions.
It also does not stop phishing, malicious links, compromised passwords, or unsafe downloads.
Final words
Using TikTok more securely in Nepal mainly comes down to good account and privacy habits. Use a unique password, enable two-factor authentication, review your TikTok privacy settings, check connected devices, manage app permissions, keep your phone updated, and watch for unexpected links.
A VPN can provide an additional encrypted connection to its server, especially on shared networks, but treat it as one privacy tool, not complete protection.
FAQs
Yes. Nepal lifted its TikTok ban in August 2024. The platform later completed official registration with Nepal’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in November 2024.
Public Wi-Fi can be safer when you use encrypted services, but users should still verify the network, keep devices updated, avoid suspicious login pages, and protect their accounts.
Yes. TikTok recommends two-step verification as an extra layer of account protection. It can require another verification method when someone tries to access your account from an unfamiliar device.
No. A VPN can encrypt traffic between your device and the VPN server and change the public IP visible for routed traffic. It cannot hide all account activity, device information, GPS permissions, cookies, or information you choose to share.
Potentially. TikTok states that location information may come from multiple signals, including device Location Services, SIM region, IP address, and device settings. A VPN mainly changes the IP-based location signal for traffic routed through it. TikTok Support