The Indian government has decisively stated that TikTok will not be permitted to make a comeback in India. This confirmation effectively shuts down any possibility of the Chinese app’s return, dispelling recent rumors circulating on social media. The government’s stance solidifies the ban.
Prior to its ban, TikTok enjoyed immense popularity in India, boasting a user base exceeding 200 million. India was the leading country in terms of TikTok downloads worldwide. The app was the dominant player in the Indian market until its ban in 2020, experiencing significant growth. The ban was a result of concerns regarding national security and data privacy.
TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps were banned by the Indian government in June 2020. This action was taken to address concerns related to national security and user data privacy. The government believed that these apps were transmitting Indian user data to servers located outside of India.
Speculation about TikTok’s return arose from reports suggesting a potential partnership with an Indian company. Some reports indicated that ByteDance, the app’s developer, had developed plans to re-enter the Indian market. The government has now officially declared that TikTok’s return to India is not possible.
In the wake of TikTok’s ban, several indigenous short video platforms gained prominence in India. Moj, Josh, Chingari, and Roposo are examples of such platforms. These apps provided a similar experience to TikTok, attracting a large user base.