The government has clarified that no order has been issued to revoke the ban on short-video platform TikTok in India.
Officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) dismissed reports suggesting otherwise, stressing that any claims about TikTok being unblocked are false and misleading.
The clarification came after some users reported being able to access TikTok’s website homepage in India, sparking speculation over a possible reversal of the ban.
TikTok, along with several other Chinese apps, was banned in June 2020 on grounds of national security and data privacy concerns. The government reaffirmed that the restrictions remain firmly in place.
What is TikTok?
TikTok is a social media and short-form video platform owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. It allows users to create, watch, and share videos that range from a few seconds to several minutes in length. The app is known for its highly personalized “For You” page, which uses a powerful algorithm to show users an endless stream of content tailored to their interests, leading to high levels of engagement. It has become a global phenomenon, influencing music, fashion, and internet culture.
Why is TikTok banned in India?
The government of India banned TikTok, along with 58 other Chinese-origin apps, in June 2020. This action was taken under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, which gives the government the power to block public access to any information if it is deemed a threat to national security.
The official reasons for the ban were:
National Security Concerns: The Indian government stated that the apps were “prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state, and public order.”
Data Privacy: Authorities raised concerns that the apps were “stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users’ data in unauthorized servers outside India.” Since TikTok’s parent company is based in China, there were fears that user data could be accessed by the Chinese government.
Geopolitical Tensions: The ban was announced just two weeks after a deadly military clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley region, a disputed territory along their shared border. The move was widely seen as a “digital counterstrike” in response to the border standoff.
