IDK is the average TikTok user really installing VPN software on it's phone? And if something is banned in a country companies are far less likely to put in effort in it.
So even if people can still use it, technically, TikTok lifes of selling scam shit to people... If you have the skills to install a VPN your probably also not falling for that stuff.
I actually see that as a win. TikTok is not a platform for political discussion or private communication (by design) so I don't hate the idea of it getting banned.
Of course they do. They want to keep control over monetization. They don't care about creators at all.