Following a surge of online speculation and user excitement, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a clarification stating that the TikTok website remains blocked across all internet service providers in India. The official statement from the DoT comes after a number of users reported being able to access the platform’s web homepage, leading to a wave of rumors about the return of the popular short-video app.
Sources within the DoT confirmed to NDTV Profit that no order has been issued to unblock the platform. The government has labeled any such claims as “false and misleading.” While some users reported seeing the landing page, attempts to navigate the site further, log in, or view content were met with error messages, reinforcing the fact that the platform’s services are still unavailable in the country. The mobile app also continues to be absent from both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
The momentary accessibility of the website for some users had ignited a flurry of reactions on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). The excitement among former users was palpable, with posts ranging from nostalgic to humorous. One user playfully commented, “TikTok website is back in India after 5 years, but the app is still unavailable. Content creators me khushi ki laher,” suggesting a new wave of optimism for content creators. Another user joked about the technological advancements since the platform’s departure, saying, “Last time TikTok was in India, we only had filters. Now? AI will be the influencer.”
A nostalgic post read, “Welcome back TikTok, long time no see,” while another expressed a mix of humor and concern, stating, “TikTok ka virus India mein wapas aa raha hai.” The user reactions underscore the platform’s enduring popularity and the significant void it left in the Indian digital landscape after its ban in June 2020.
The ban, which also included 58 other Chinese apps, was implemented by the government citing concerns over national security and data privacy in the wake of border tensions with China.
As of now, ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has not provided any official confirmation or response regarding the platform’s partial web accessibility or its potential return to the Indian market. The absence of an official statement from the company, coupled with the DoT’s clarification, confirms that the status of the TikTok ban in India remains unchanged.
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FAQs: Common Queries About the TikTok Ban in India
Q1: Is TikTok unbanned in India?
A: No, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has confirmed that the TikTok app and its services remain blocked across all internet service providers in India. While some users may have been able to access the website’s landing page, the platform’s core functionalities, including content viewing and login, are still inaccessible.
Q2: Why was TikTok banned in India?
A: The Indian government banned TikTok and numerous other Chinese apps in June 2020. The official reason cited was a concern for national security and data privacy. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology stated that the apps were “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.”
Q3: Is the TikTok app available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store?
A: No, the TikTok app continues to be unavailable on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store in India.
Q4: Has ByteDance made any statement about the ban?
A: As of now, ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, has not issued any official statement or clarification regarding the platform’s recent partial accessibility or a potential return to the Indian market.
Q5: What caused the recent rumors about TikTok’s return?
A: The recent rumors began when a number of Indian users reported that they could access the TikTok website’s homepage on their desktop browsers. This led to widespread speculation on social media that the ban might be lifted. However, the government has since clarified that no such order has been issued.
