The possibility of TikTok returning to India has become a hot topic in social media and tech circles. The temporary availability of the app and the company’s new hiring in Gurugram have sparked interest. Let’s examine the facts.
TikTok is still banned in India. Both TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, and the Indian government have made it clear that the app remains blocked in the country, and there’s no sign of a quick unblocking. The app is not available on the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. The government has dismissed any reports of a TikTok comeback as speculation.
While the ban is still in place, TikTok has started hiring for its Gurugram office. Job postings include roles for Content Moderator (Bengali Speaker) and Wellbeing Partnership & Operations Lead. These positions have been advertised on platforms like LinkedIn. This has led some to believe that TikTok is preparing for a return.
In June 2020, the Indian government banned TikTok, along with 59 other Chinese apps, due to concerns about data security, the potential transfer of data to China, and threats to national security.
Following the ban, several local short video apps gained popularity in India, including Moj, Josh, and MX TakaTak. However, Instagram Reels experienced the most substantial growth, becoming the most used short video platform in the country.
TikTok’s recent hiring activity indicates that the company is still engaged with the Indian market. For a return, TikTok would need to create local data servers, comply with regulations and safety standards, and secure necessary approvals from the government. This mirrors the approach taken by Krafton when it brought BGMI (PUBG Mobile) back to India, which included setting up local servers and adhering to new rules.