TikTok’s recent activity has reignited speculation about its potential comeback in India, even as the government maintains that the Chinese short-video platform remains banned.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin, marking his first visit to the city in seven years. The timing of ByteDance’s latest moves has drawn attention, given the diplomatic outreach between the two countries.
ByteDance Posts Jobs in India ByteDance has posted two job openings on LinkedIn for its Gurugram office, one for a Bengali-speaking content moderator and another for a Wellbeing Partnership and Operations Lead. Additionally, the company’s India website has become partially accessible, fueling speculation about TikTok’s re-entry into the Indian market.
Government’s Response Government officials have dismissed reports of TikTok’s return, stating that no order has been issued to lift the 2020 ban. Earlier this month, officials also denied claims that TikTok had quietly resumed services after some users reported limited access to its website.
Why TikTok Was Banned TikTok, along with 58 other Chinese apps including Shareit and CamScanner, was banned in 2020 over national security concerns. The Ministry of Electronics and IT said the apps were “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.”
Significance of a Possible Return Before the ban, India was TikTok’s second-largest market with nearly 200 million users. Its re-entry could disrupt the current short-video market in India, which is dominated by Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and domestic platforms like Moj and Josh.
The Bigger Picture This development coincides with Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO summit, where both leaders agreed to work on improving bilateral relations. While no official approval for TikTok’s return has been given, ByteDance’s hiring moves indicate preparation for a potential comeback.
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