After a five-year absence, the TikTok website is partially live in India. The Chinese short video app was banned in 2020. This recent development has led to widespread talk of a possible return.
Users report that they can access the platform’s homepage. However, the app is not available on the Google Play Store or App Store. There is no official statement from the company about a comeback.
The website’s access is not uniform. Some users on X say the site remains blocked for them. They could only view the homepage. They could not open other pages like “Newsroom” or “Careers.” The Newsroom link shows a message that says, “Our services aren’t available in your country or region.”
The Indian government banned TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps in 2020. They stated that the apps were a threat to India’s sovereignty, integrity, and national security. The ban included other popular apps like Shareit and CamScanner.
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The speculation about TikTok’s return comes at a time when the app faces a similar ban in the US. However, President Donald Trump has said he is open to a sale to American buyers. TikTok is also making changes to its global operations, including employee layoffs in the UK. The company stated this is part of a “reorganisation” to centralise operations and use more AI for moderation.
