The Congress on Friday criticised the central government after China’s TikTok and AliExpress websites were made “accessible” in India.
Amidst the talk of TikTok’s comeback in India, the ban imposed five years ago is still in full force. Officials have also clarified that the app has not been re-approved for the Indian market.
“The Indian government has not issued any unblocking order for TikTok. Any such statement or news is false and misleading,” officials said on Friday, dismissing rumours that the ban was likely to be lifted amid reports that some users were accessing the website.
Why did India ban TikTok?
India banned TikTok and 58 other Chinese-origin apps on June 29, 2020, citing threats to the country’s sovereignty and integrity, as well as state security and public order.
The move came after violent clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley region, where tensions rose and India sought to demonstrate its resolve.
The app ban acted as a geopolitical “digital counterstrike”, strengthening national defense through non-military means, analysts suggested after the announcement.
Security agencies had warned that apps including TikTok were collecting user data and possibly transmitting it outside India without authorization, raising concerns about data privacy and potential espionage.
How did the speculation of a TikTok revival start?
On Friday, several reports claimed that users were able to access the TikTok website, and that the app could be a sign that it might be available soon.
While there has been no official statement from parent company ByteDance, social media was soon flooded with posts about how people were able to open the TikTok website.
However, officials noted that such access did not result in full functionality: users were unable to log in, watch or upload videos, and the TikTok app is not available on the Indian app store.
Interestingly, this clarification comes as bilateral relations between India and China are warming:
The relationship between TikTok and Indian users
India was once TikTok’s biggest international market, with an estimated 150 to 200 million users before the ban. After the ban, local alternatives like Moj and Chingari quickly emerged, but global giants like YouTube (Shorts) and Instagram (Reels) attracted most of the displaced users.
For many creators and small businesses, the ban was deeply personal. TikTok had provided an accessible platform for millions, but it was abruptly shut down. Meanwhile, local vendors—who thrived on foot traffic generated by video creators, such as snack shop owners in popular markets—reported a sharp decline in business.