TikTok on Friday denied reports of its comeback in India after users briefly noticed that the platform’s website was accessible without a VPN. This sparked widespread speculation across local media and social networks.
A TikTok spokesperson confirmed that the short-video platform remains banned in India and is continuing to comply with government directives. “We have not restored access to TikTok in India and continue to comply with the Government of India’s directive,” the company said in a statement.
Government Confirms Ban is Still in Place
A senior official from India’s IT Ministry, speaking anonymously, also confirmed that the government has not taken any steps to lift the ban imposed in June 2020 under Section 69A of the IT Act. This clarification came after several Indian outlets suggested TikTok was returning, citing user reports that the website was loading normally on some networks.
The brief accessibility appears to have been due to a network-level misconfiguration. A source familiar with the matter told TechCrunch that a similar issue occurred in September 2022, when internet service providers (ISPs) accidentally unblocked restricted sites, including TikTok, while applying technical patches.
Background on India’s TikTok Ban
Since its ban, TikTok has remained officially inaccessible in India, even as alternative short-video apps such as Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and local players like Moj and Josh have filled the void in the country’s booming creator economy.
India banned TikTok in late June 2020, along with dozens of other Chinese apps, citing national security concerns amid escalating border tensions with China. Despite repeated speculation about a possible re-entry, TikTok has so far been unable to negotiate a return to one of its largest former markets.
