Recent developments in the tech and social media spaces have sparked rumors of TikTok’s return to India. The temporary accessibility of the app and the company’s recruitment efforts in Gurugram have fueled this speculation. Here’s a breakdown of the current situation.
TikTok is still under a ban in India. Both TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, and the Indian government have confirmed that the app remains blocked in the country, with no imminent plans for a relaunch. The Indian government has not issued any directive to unblock TikTok. The app is still inaccessible on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The ministry has dismissed the reports about TikTok’s return as false information.
TikTok is hiring in India. Even with the ban in place, TikTok has initiated new job postings for its Gurugram office, including roles such as Content Moderator (Bengali Speaker) and Wellbeing Partnership & Operations Lead. These positions are advertised on LinkedIn and other professional platforms. This action has led many to speculate about a potential TikTok return.
Reasons behind the TikTok ban. In June 2020, the Indian government banned TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps. The ban was implemented due to various concerns, including data security, the risk of data transfer to China, and potential risks to national security.
Who benefited from the TikTok ban? Following the ban, several local short video apps, such as Moj, Josh, and MX TakaTak, gained popularity. Instagram Reels benefited the most, becoming the most popular platform for short videos in the country.
Will TikTok return? The company’s new hiring activity in India suggests that it is still keeping a close eye on the market. A potential return would require TikTok to create local data servers, comply with regulations and safety standards, and obtain the necessary approvals from the government. This is similar to how Krafton managed to bring BGMI (PUBG Mobile) back to India by establishing local servers and following new rules.