Rumours about TikTok’s return to India surfaced on Friday after the platform’s official website briefly became accessible to some users. Reports suggested that the login page was visible and sign-ups were attempted, but access was quickly blocked again.
Highlights
- Speculation Triggered: TikTok’s official website briefly became accessible in India, sparking rumours of a comeback.
- Company Denial: Company confirmed the app remains banned and said it continues to comply with government directives.
- Government Confirmation: MeitY also stated no steps have been taken to restore the service, dismissing the speculation.
- Cause of Confusion: The brief accessibility was likely a network-level misconfiguration, not a sign of relaunch.
- Background: The app has been banned since June 2020 under Section 69A of the IT Act, citing national security concerns.
- Recurring Rumours: Similar comeback reports have circulated since 2020, but none have materialized into action.
- Local Alternatives: Platforms like Moj, Josh, Chingari, Roposo, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts continue to dominate India’s short-video space.
- Current Status: Despite speculation, both TikTok and officials reaffirmed that the ban remains firmly in place.
TikTok and Government Confirm Ban Still in Place
TikTok later clarified that the app remains banned in India.
“We have not restored access to TikTok in India and continue to comply with the Government of India’s directive,” a spokesperson told TechCrunch.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) also confirmed that no steps had been taken to unblock the service.
What Triggered the Confusion?
Some users, reported reaching TikTok’s login page. However, the OTP verification screen displayed a banner stating,
“TikTok is banned in India and we are working on it.”
The temporary accessibility was likely the result of a network-level misconfiguration, a technical issue that has previously caused restricted apps to appear briefly available through certain internet providers.
Ban and Legal Grounds
TikTok was banned in India in June 2020 under Section 69A of the IT Act, which empowers the government to block online services in the interest of national security, defense, and sovereignty.
The move was part of a broader restriction on Chinese apps amid rising geopolitical tensions between India and China.
Past Attempts and Renewed Speculation
This is not the first time TikTok has been linked to comeback rumours. In 2022, parent company ByteDance explored a potential partnership with the Hiranandani Group to re-enter India, though the plan did not progress.
More recently, easing geopolitical tensions have fueled speculation that TikTok—or other banned Chinese apps—could return. Analysts note, however, that there is no official indication of such moves.
Firm Denial from Officials
Both company representatives and Indian government officials have rejected the rumours. Authorities described the reports as “false and misleading,” confirming that the ban remains unchanged.
Local Alternatives Fill the Gap
Since the 2020 ban, India’s digital ecosystem has shifted significantly. Homegrown platforms like Moj, Josh, Chingari, and Roposo have expanded rapidly, while Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts strengthened their dominance in the short-video market.
Recurring Rumours, Same Outcome
Friday’s brief website glitch adds to a series of similar incidents since 2020, each sparking speculation about TikTok’s return. As in past cases, both TikTok and the government have reiterated that the app remains blocked, and no restoration is currently underway.
