Union Minister for IT, Information and Broadcasting, and Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw has confirmed that the Indian government has no plans to revoke the ban on TikTok, dismissing speculation about the app’s possible return.
“There is absolutely no proposal which has come from any quarters,” Vaishnaw said in an interview with Moneycontrol, addressing recent chatter that TikTok’s owner ByteDance was preparing for a re-entry into India.
Why the Ban Stays
TikTok was first banned in June 2020 alongside 58 other Chinese apps over national security concerns. The ban was made permanent in January 2021. At its peak, India was TikTok’s largest global market with over 200 million users, making the decision a major setback for the company.
The government also blocked other ByteDance products, including Helo and CapCut, as well as popular apps like PUBG Mobile, citing security risks and data-sharing issues.
Rumors of a Comeback
Speculation about TikTok’s return resurfaced when the app’s website became briefly accessible on select mobile and broadband networks last month. Reports also indicated that ByteDance had posted job openings in Gurugram, fueling rumors of renewed operations.
However, the minister’s statement makes it clear that there is no official reconsideration of the ban.
Broader Context
The announcement comes as India continues to restrict Chinese investment and influence in its digital ecosystem. Following Press Note 3 in April 2020, Chinese investors such as Tencent, Alibaba, and Ant Financial faced stricter approval processes, significantly reducing their activity in Indian startups.
Meanwhile, discussions between Indian and Chinese firms are now largely confined to electronics manufacturing partnerships, with both sides focusing on hardware collaboration instead of consumer-facing apps.
Final Take
TikTok’s return remains unlikely as India prioritizes digital sovereignty, security, and self-reliance in the tech sector.
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