TikTok’s website is partially accessible in India for the first time since its 2020 ban, sparking rumors of the app’s potential return.
After five years of being banned in India, TikTok is making headlines again. Several users have reported that the platform’s official website is now partially accessible in the country, though the app itself remains blocked on both iOS and Android.
This unexpected development has sparked speculation about a possible TikTok comeback in the Indian market, which was once one of its largest user bases globally.
TikTok, owned by ByteDance, was banned in India in June 2020 along with 58 other Chinese apps due to concerns over data privacy and national security. At the time, the Indian government accused these apps of unauthorized data collection and claimed they posed a threat to the country’s sovereignty.
Before the ban, India accounted for over 200 million active TikTok users, making it one of the company’s biggest markets outside China.
Reports suggest that TikTok’s website is intermittently accessible for some users across India. While this doesn’t confirm the platform’s official return, the development has sparked a wave of excitement and rumors.
However, the TikTok mobile app is still unavailable for download on Google Play and Apple’s App Store. Even for users who already had it installed, the app remains non-functional due to ongoing network-level restrictions.
TikTok’s partial accessibility could mean several things:
Industry experts believe that if TikTok plans a comeback, it may do so under stricter data compliance rules. There are also speculations about TikTok potentially partnering with an Indian tech firm to navigate the country’s regulatory environment.
However, until an official statement is released by ByteDance or the Indian government, TikTok’s status remains uncertain.
While TikTok’s website accessibility is promising for fans, there’s no official confirmation yet regarding the app’s comeback. If TikTok manages to return, it could reignite competition in India’s short-video space and challenge platforms like Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Josh.
For now, TikTok enthusiasts will have to wait and watch as this story continues to unfold.
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