The website of the Chinese video streaming platform TikTok has started opening again in India after about 5 years. Along with this, shopping website AliExpress has also started becoming accessible to some users. However, TikTok’s mobile app is still not available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
It is worth noting that in June 2020, the Indian government banned 59 Chinese apps including TikTok citing security reasons. This list included many popular apps like UC Browser, Shareit and UC News. This ban was implemented under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act 2000.
Many users have claimed that TikTok’s website is now opening in India, although the app is still not available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Meanwhile, TikTok or its parent company ByteDance has not made any official statement regarding the possible return of the app in India. At the same time, government sources have dismissed media reports and said that there has been no change in the status quo of TikTok and its associated websites. According to sources, the ban imposed on the app and website is still in place.
Only the homepage of TikTok’s website is opening in India
TikTok was banned in June 2020. At that time India-China tension was at its peak in the Galwan Valley. Citing national security concerns, the government had ordered the closure of 59 Chinese mobile apps, calling them dangerous. This list included TikTok in India as well as Shareit, UC Browser, UC News and many other popular platforms. This step was taken under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act 2000.
The partial return of the TikTok website has come at a time when India-China relations are thawing. Recently, in a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, important issues such as maintaining peace on the border, opening border trade and increasing investment were discussed.
When were Chinese apps banned?
In June 2020, the Indian government announced a ban on 59 mobile apps, citing national security concerns. At the time, officials said they had sufficient evidence that these apps were involved in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, national defence, and public order. The ban was imposed under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act 2000 and the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking Access to Information by Public) Rules, 2009.
Which apps were banned?
The list of banned apps included many popular platforms widely used in India. These included names like TikTok, Shareit, UC Browser, Kwai, UC News, Vigo Video, Baidu Map, Clash of Kings and DU Battery Saver. These apps had a large user base in India, but after concerns arose about security and data privacy, the government decided to ban them.
TikTok is in trouble in America too
Interestingly, while the discussion about TikTok is going on in India, the crisis on this platform is deepening in the US as well. TikTok’s parent company ByteDance has been given an ultimatum to sell its operations in the US or face a ban. Meanwhile, the White House launched its official TikTok account this week. In the very first post, a video of President Donald Trump was shared, in which he said – “Every day I wake up with the resolve to give a better life to the people of this nation. I am your voice.” The video was captioned – “America, we are back.”
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