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While the US House of Representatives recently passed legislation that could pave the way for a ban on TikTok, utilized by over 170 million Americans, it was India that initially took action to block the Chinese short-video platform, which boasts a global user base.
On June 29, 2020, India enforced a ban on TikTok, a platform controlled by the Chinese conglomerate ByteDance, despite the country being one of its largest markets outside of China.
Citing security concerns, the Indian government blocked TikTok along with 59 other Chinese apps, including WeChat, Shareit, Helo, and Likee, among others. Subsequently, over 300 Chinese apps have faced bans in India, including those related to betting and loans, all found in violation of Section 69 of the IT Act, posing threats to India’s sovereignty and integrity.
TikTok ban
Following the ban, TikTok terminated its entire India-based workforce, comprising approximately 40 employees. In 2020, the Indian Army instructed its personnel to remove 89 mobile apps, including several Chinese ones, from their devices to prevent data leakage.
Concerns regarding TikTok’s security implications stem from its ties to the Chinese government, with lawmakers and officials suggesting Beijing’s potential access to user data through the app. In response, TikTok has maintained that data of American users is stored within the United States.
In November of the same year, Nepal joined in banning TikTok, citing its content as “detrimental to social harmony.”
Meanwhile, India has witnessed a surge in short-form video platform users, exceeding 250 million, with around 70% hailing from tier-2 cities and other semi-urban and rural areas, often representing middle and high-income demographics, according to recent reports.
