TikTok may have briefly reappeared on browsers for some Indian users, but the government has firmly stated that the ban on the Chinese short-video app is still very much in place.
On Sunday evening, several users claimed they were able to access TikTok’s official website in India, sparking speculation about the app’s potential return. However, login functions remained disabled, and users were unable to upload or view videos. The TikTok app itself continues to be unavailable on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Government sources clarified to NDTV that “the Government of India has not issued any unblocking order for TikTok. Any such statement or news is false and misleading.” They further explained that Internet service providers continue to block the platform, making it unclear how some users were able to access the homepage.
Interestingly, some users briefly accessed e-commerce giant AliExpress—also banned in 2020—around the same time.
TikTok, along with 58 other Chinese apps, was banned in June 2020 following the deadly Galwan Valley clashes between India and China. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology had cited national security and data privacy concerns, alleging that the apps acted as spyware and posed risks to sovereignty and public order.
The latest buzz comes at a time when India and China are attempting to stabilize relations. This week, the two countries announced measures to strengthen cooperation, including reopening border trade, boosting investment flows, and resuming direct flights. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Tianjin, China, on August 31–September 1 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.
For now, however, the government has made it clear: TikTok’s ban stays. Any rumors of its return remain untrue.