TikTok, the popular short video app, is once again making headlines in India. The app was banned in June 2020, but now people are talking about its possible return. The reason is that some users in India were recently able to open TikTok’s official website.
At the same time, many others still cannot access it. This has made many people wonder if TikTok is preparing for a comeback.
When TikTok was banned four years ago, it was one of the most popular apps in India. It had over 200 million users here. The government banned TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps because of privacy and security concerns. Since then, the app has been completely unavailable for download on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
The fact that TikTok’s website opens for some people is interesting, but it does not mean the app is back. It could simply mean that the company is testing something in the background. Until the government allows it, the app cannot be launched again in India. Right now, the ban is still in place, and there has been no official statement either from TikTok or from the Indian government.
This fresh buzz is also connected to the current political situation. Relations between India and China seem to be getting a little better. Recently, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. They talked about keeping communication open and working together.
Later this month, Prime Minister Modi is expected to visit China for the SCO Summit. Many people believe these meetings could open doors for Chinese apps and companies, including TikTok, to return in the future.
Other banned apps have managed to come back by making changes. PUBG Mobile, for example, returned as Battlegrounds Mobile India after assuring better data safety. Fashion brand Shein also made a return by partnering with Amazon India. If TikTok wants to re-enter the Indian market, it may need to do something similar. This could mean storing user data in India, partnering with local companies, and following strict rules set by the government.
For now, TikTok is still banned. The online buzz about its website becoming accessible does not equal an official comeback. The app cannot operate unless the Indian government clearly approves it. That means people should wait for an official announcement.
In simple words, TikTok is not back in India yet. Yes, its website works for some people, but that alone does not mean anything concrete. Unless the government lifts the ban and TikTok agrees to follow all rules, the app will remain unavailable. For now, the news is mostly about speculation and guesswork, not about an actual return.