(PC:pressmediaofindia.com)
The clarification comes after users reported being able to access TikTok’s website without a VPN, sparking widespread rumors of a potential unban. However, officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology stated unequivocally that no directive has been issued to lift the ban, calling the reports “false and misleading”. TikTok, along with 58 other Chinese apps, was banned in June 2020 under Section 69A of the IT Act, citing concerns over national security, data privacy, and sovereignty following the Galvan Valley clashes.
While the website’s brief accessibility was attributed to a network-level glitch, the app remains unavailable on both Google Play and Apple’s App Store in India. TikTok’s parent company, Byte Dance, confirmed it continues to comply with the government’s directive and has not restored access. Despite improving diplomatic ties between India and China, including resumed trade and upcoming bilateral talks at the SCO Summit, TikTok’s return remains off the table—for now.