Will TikTok Be Back in India Anytime Soon?

TikTok was banned in India in September last year, citing a threat to the country's national security.

TikTok made its way back to Apple and Google app stores a few days back.

(Photo: The Quint)

After PUBG Mobile's relaunch in India, it is now anticipated that the Chinese short video-making app TikTok will likely make a comeback in the country as well.

This development comes amid US shifting its stance on the app, with President Biden repealing the ban that was imposed by his predecessor Donald Trump.

TikTok was banned in India in September last year along with 250 Chinese apps by the Ministry of Information and Technology, citing a threat to the country's national security.

Bytedance-owned TikTok has reportedly said the relationships between India and China have improved.

TikTok Hopeful, Ready to Comply With IT Rules

According to a report by The Print, TikTok representatives have approached the IT ministry, PMO officials and reiterated that ByteDance and TikTok will work to comply with the 2021 intermediary guidelines.

In light of making a comeback in India and following the Centre’s new IT rules, TikTok has already hired nodal and grievance officers in India, and is eager to collaborate with the Modi government to examine security.

“TikTok/ByteDance has always worked to comply with local laws, including content takedown requests from the Indian government before the ban on 29 June 2020. TikTok officials were in touch with government officials, especially from the IT ministry, to talk about the company’s CSR," The Print reported, quoting sources.

Will TikTok Follow Suit After PUBG Mobile?

PUBG is rebranded and back as Battlegrounds Mobile India. It should be noted that the game did not seek any formal permission from the government before launching the game in India.

Responses given by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to RTI applications filed by a critic, Dr Gaurav Tyagi, an assistant professor at JNU, revealed that the government couldn't stop the game from launching in India.

Responding to the RTI, the IT ministry said, "Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has no role in granting any permission for entry of PUBG or any company/Mobile app in India."

But for TikTok, a comeback would be more difficult than PUBG because, unlike the gaming app which is developed by Korean firm Krafton, the short video app is owned by a Chinese company.

Dr Tyagi, in an interview with India.com, said that TikTok can also use this route to "re-enter India with modified names".