Is TikTok back in India after five years of ban?

After nearly five years, social media reports created a buzz about the potential return of TikTok to India. These rumours began when some users reported limited access to the app’s website. However, the Indian government has quickly put an end to the speculation.

"The Government of India has not issued any unblocking order for TikTok. Any such statement or news is false and misleading”, a government official stated as reported by ANI.

India’s digital strike on TikTok in 2020

To understand why this ban is so firm, it is essential to look at the context of 2020. At the time, India was one of TikTok’s largest and fastest-growing markets, with an estimated user base of 150 to 200 million. It acted as a digital equaliser, providing a platform for creators from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities to reach a massive audience. The app had a user-friendly interface that made it a powerful tool for entertainment and commerce, creating a wave of digital influencers.

The ban, however, was not an isolated event. It was part of a larger government strategy that came amid a tense border standoff between India and China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The government’s decision to ban TikTok, along with 58 other Chinese-owned apps, was rooted in favour of national security.

The official statement from MeitY cited concerns over data security and privacy, noting the apps were "prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the state and public order." The fear was that these apps could be used as a conduit for sensitive user data to be sent to foreign servers, posing a risk to national security.

The emergence of a new digital landscape

The void left by TikTok’s exit created a new short-video market. Domestic players like Moj and Chingari and global players like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts quickly moved in to capture the audience. This market is now a multi-billion dollar ecosystem. For example, YouTube Shorts has become a significant player, reporting over 2 billion logged-in users monthly.

The recent rumours likely stemmed from a technical glitch, a phenomenon that has occurred before. A similar incident in 2022 saw some internet service providers accidentally unblocking certain banned sites. For a permanent reversal to happen, it would require a formal directive from MeitY.

The ban on TikTok stands as a case study in how geopolitical tensions can reshape an entire digital market, creating opportunities for homegrown solutions.