TikTok Banned in India With Other 58 Chinese Apps

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TikTok is a Chinese app that allows you to create and share short videos. The popularity of this app has been sky-rocketing ever since the introduction of the app. But now, the table has turned. The status has changed. TikTok is dooming. Can we literally say that? Yes, I guess! Because it has recently lost a huge mass of users.

TikTok has completely been banned in India since June 25, 2020, as per the latest update. The Government of India, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, New Delhi made a press release on 29th June 2020. As per the press release, TikTok is banned in India. Along with the app, the Indian government banned 58 other Chinese apps.

The complete list of 59 apps developed by Chinese firms banned in India is here as below:

  1. TikTok
  2. Share it
  3. Kwai
  4. UC Browser
  5. Baidu map
  6. Shein
  7. Clash of Kings
  8. DU battery saver
  9. Helo
  10. Likee
  11. YouCam makeup
  12. Mi Community
  13. CM Browser
  14. Virus Cleaner
  15. APUS Browser
  16. ROMWE
  17. Club Factory
  18. Newsdog
  19. Beauty Plus
  20. WeChat
  21. UC News
  22. QQ Mail
  23. Weibo
  24. Xender
  25. QQ Music
  26. QQ Newsfeed
  27. Bigo Live
  28. SelfieCity
  29. Mail Master
  30. Parallel Space
  31. Mi Video Call – Xiaomi
  32. WeSync
  33. ES File Explorer
  34. Viva Video – QU Video Inc
  35. Meitu
  36. Vigo Video
  37. New Video Status
  38. DU Recorder
  39. Vault-Hide
  40. Cache Cleaner DU App studio
  41. DU Cleaner
  42. DU Browser
  43. Hago Play With New Friends
  44. Cam Scanner
  45. Clean Master – Cheetah Mobile
  46. Wonder Camera
  47. Photo Wonder
  48. QQ Player
  49. We Meet
  50. Sweet Selfie
  51. Baidu Translate
  52. Vmate
  53. QQ International
  54. QQ Launcher
  55. U Video
  56. QQ Security Center
  57. V fly Status Video
  58. Mobile Legends
  59. DU Privacy

Previously, some states in India banned TikTok. But eventually, it was lifted to some extent. But as of now, since 29th June 2020, TikTok is banned all over the places of India.

Why is TikTok Banned in India?

In a major upset to mobile app businesses competing on a global stage, India blocked 59 apps developed by Chinese firms. It is due to concerns that the apps were engaging in activities that threatened the “national security and defense of India” according to the Indian government. According to the press release, the government bans 59 mobile apps which are prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India. The Indian government made this decision for the defense of India, the security of the state, and public order.

The ban itself is a political power move as it follows deadly clashes between Indian and Chinese troops along the disputed Himalayan border on June 15-16. The dispute led to the death of at least 20 Indian soldiers on June 16. As a consequence, it triggered an anti-China sentiment in India. Indian government officials claim to receive reports of the apps stealing user data in an unauthorized manner. This is what necessitated the ban. They said as the user data is transmitted to servers outside the country.

One of the major concerns behind the TikTok ban in India according to the Tamil Nadu Government was the dark side of the app. For instance, cyberbullying, harassment, and children being exposed to sexually explicit content. Although, there is nothing bad about the TikTok app in itself.

Also read: Tiktok Download Not Available Anymore in India

Impact of TikTok Bann in India

India’s ban threatens the growth in a key market for the Chinese mobile app business. This also threatens TikTok’s growth in a key market for sure. We are well known for the fact, the popularity of TikTok exploded during this time of the Covid-19 pandemic. India was the largest market for TikTok by the user base.

The ban has also given a lift to local rivals such as Roposo. Roposo is an Indian video-sharing social media platform. It added 22 million new users in the 48 hours after the ban took effect. Well, this can be a kick-start to flourish Indian apps and tech.

Impact on TikTok Users and Influencers

TikTok hit 2 billion downloads in April combining both from Apple Play Store and Google Play Store. Out of that 611 million downloads accounted from India. That is about 30.3 percent. TikTok enjoys a huge following in India and has a dedicated fan base and influencers as well.

The ban on TikTok is upsetting India’s growing legion of TikTok stars. Not only the Indian TikTok stars are upset. But also other international users are upset indeed. As the fact to mention, due to lack of content and their favorite TikTokers. This may certainly conclude other users to leave TikTok as well. Also, this ban will put a lot of things on hold. This would hold the social media influencers and brands to their work as well.

Impact on ByteDance

ByteDance Ltd. is a Chinese multinational internet technology company that is headquartered in Beijing. TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. According to a report published by China’s state-run media The Global Times, ByteDance could lose up to $6 billion. That amount equals to around ₹45k crore. This could be a financial challenge and loss as the result of the Indian government put a ban on TikTok.

The Chief Executive of ByteDance, Kevin Mayer said, they had plans to invest $1B in India. So of course, the plan is on halt now. It has blown the confidence of Chinese investors and traders. This bizarre move could cause disastrous outcomes for the company’s business in India.

Will it be lifted? If so? When?

TikTok Chief Executive Kevin Mayer wrote a letter to the Indian government on June 28. In the letter, Mayer confirms that the Chinese government has never made a request to them for the TikTok data of Indian users. He added that the data for Indian users is stored in servers in Singapore. Mayer also wrote they would not comply even if they ever receive such a request in the future. He also confronted, the privacy of their users, the security and sovereignty of India, are of utmost importance to them. Adding to it, he wrote, they have already announced their plans to build a data center in India.

Though being said that, lawyers have said a legal challenge was unlikely to be successful. Since India has cited national security concerns for the ban. At least it is unlikely to revoke the ban of TikTok in India soon. I feel unfortunate to tell you, as of now, the ban is unlikely to be lifted.

What happened to the TikTok accounts after the ban?

So now TikTok is totally banned. But what about the TikTok accounts? Will they get deleted? Well, No! it won’t get deleted.

The TikTok accounts and profiles are still active for the viewers in other regions. You can still view the TikTok profiles and videos of your favorite Indian TikToker. This is a fortunate thing for the viewers where they have access to TikTok. Unfortunate thing is, your favorite TikToker won’t be able to update their profile and post videos from India unless the ban is lifted.

Is the ban justified in any way?

When it comes to the security and sovereignty of the nation, it is most likely to be worth-while. As the Indian government claimed this ban is to protect the nation’s sovereignty and protection of user data. We somehow find it reasonable. If the case is so, I guess the ban is justified.

Whereas, the Indian government made this decision after the border issue and conflict. Looking at it, there arises a question. Why now? Why did they not focus on this before the China–India skirmishes? Is this part of an anti-China sentiment that is currently ongoing in India? If this just a representation of anti-China sentiment, then it quite doesn’t fit to be justifiable. Or does it? Do you really feel this ban is justified or worthwhile or unreasonable?

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