Highlights

• The Indian government confirms TikTok remains officially banned with no unblocking order issued.
• Users cannot log in, upload, or view content; the app is absent from app stores, and ISPs continue to block the platform nationwide.
• The reaffirmation comes amid India-China diplomatic efforts to restore ties post-Galwan clash and PM Modi set to attend the SCO summit in China.

Caption – (Photo by Alexander Shatov on Unsplash)

Amid growing chatter about TikTok’s possible return to India, government officials have clarified that the app is still banned in the country. According to an NDTV report, the clarification came after some users claimed they were able to access the video platform’s website.

“The government of India has not issued any unblocking order for TikTok. Any such statement or news is false and misleading,” sources stated.

Although the TikTok website briefly appeared accessible to certain users, logging in, uploading, or viewing videos remained impossible. Additionally, the TikTok mobile app is still missing from app stores in India.

Officials from the Department of Telecom confirmed that internet service providers continue to block TikTok’s website, making its partial visibility to some users unclear.

Interestingly, AliExpress, the e-commerce platform also banned in India, was reported to be working for users at the time this news was filed.

India-China Relations Context

The update comes as India and China take steps to repair ties strained since the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes. Earlier this week, both nations announced fresh initiatives for a “stable, cooperative and forward-looking” relationship, which include reopening border trade, boosting investments, resuming direct flights, and maintaining peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit China from August 31 to September 1 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Why TikTok Was Banned?

TikTok, along with AliExpress and 57 other Chinese apps, was banned in June 2020 following the deadly clashes in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley. At the time, government sources alleged that these apps violated usage guidelines, posed serious privacy concerns, and were potentially acting as spyware or malware.

FAQs

Q1. Is TikTok unblocked in India?

Answer. No, TikTok is still banned in India. Government officials confirmed that no order has been issued to lift the ban, and reports of its return are false and misleading.

Q2. Why was TikTok banned in India?

Answer. TikTok, along with AliExpress and 57 other Chinese apps, was banned in June 2020 after the Galwan Valley clashes. The government cited violations of usage guidelines, privacy risks, and concerns that the apps could act as spyware or malware.

Q3. Can users currently access TikTok in India?

Answer. Some users reported that TikTok’s website briefly appeared accessible, but login, video uploads, and viewing remain blocked. The app is also unavailable on app stores, and internet service providers continue to restrict access.

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