Rumors of TikTok’s comeback in India have spread rapidly through social media and tech circles. This speculation is fueled by the temporary accessibility of the app and the company’s new hiring initiatives in its Gurugram office. But what’s the real story?
TikTok is still banned in India. Both ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, and the Indian government have firmly stated that the app remains banned in the country. There’s no indication of an imminent return. The Indian government has not issued any orders to unblock TikTok. The app continues to be unavailable on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The ministry has labeled any reports of TikTok’s return as false.
TikTok is hiring in India. Despite the ban, TikTok is recruiting for its Gurugram office. The open positions include Content Moderator (Bengali Speaker) and Wellbeing Partnership & Operations Lead. These job postings are on LinkedIn and other professional sites. This has caused users to speculate that TikTok might be preparing for a comeback in India.
Reasons for the TikTok ban. In June 2020, the Indian government banned 59 Chinese apps, including TikTok. The ban was implemented due to concerns over data security, the risk of data transfer to China, and national security threats.
Who profited from the TikTok ban? Following the TikTok ban, several local short video apps, such as Moj, Josh, and MX TakaTak, became popular. However, Instagram Reels gained the most, becoming the leading short video platform in the country.
Will TikTok really return? The company’s hiring activity in India suggests it is still monitoring the market. Any potential return would require TikTok to establish local data servers, comply with regulations and safety standards, and obtain necessary government approvals. This process mirrors Krafton’s efforts to bring BGMI (PUBG Mobile) back to India by setting up local servers and following new rules.