What To Know
- Well, it’s been completely banned in India since 2020, and this week, the internet went into overdrive with rumors that it might be making a comeback.
- The ban came after a deadly military confrontation in the Galwan Valley, where twenty Indian and four Chinese soldiers were killed, and ties between the two Asian giants plunged to a new low.
- What happened in India offers a preview of what a complete TikTok ban looks like in practice.
Social media users got their hopes up, but the Indian government just poured cold water on rumors that the Chinese app is making a comeback after five years.
Remember TikTok? That wildly popular video app that had Americans — and people worldwide — dancing, lip-syncing, and creating 15-second masterpieces before it got caught up in political crossfire? Well, it’s been completely banned in India since 2020, and this week, the internet went into overdrive with rumors that it might be making a comeback.
The Rumor Mill Goes Wild
Here’s what happened. On Thursday, social media users across India started claiming they could suddenly access TikTok’s website again after five long years of getting blocked pages. Screenshots started flying around Twitter and Instagram, with users posting excited messages like “TikTok is back!” and speculating whether this meant the app would soon return to their phones.
The timing seemed almost too perfect. After years of frosty relations following a deadly border clash in 2020, India and China have been slowly warming up to each other again. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is even planning a visit to China. So naturally, people started connecting the dots: better diplomatic relations might equal the return of their favorite short-video app.
Government Drops the Reality Check
By Friday morning, the Indian government had to step in and set the record straight. “Government of India has not issued any unblocking order for TikTok.” Government sources were crystal clear in their statement, calling any reports about lifting the ban “false and misleading.”
The clarification came after conflicting reports emerged about some users being able to access parts of TikTok’s website — though notably, only the homepage, and not the actual app functionality. The mobile app remains completely unavailable on both Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store in India.
Why TikTok Got the Boot in the First Place
To understand why this rumor gained so much traction, you need to know the backstory. TikTok wasn’t just popular in India — it was absolutely massive. When India banned TikTok one evening in June 2020, the move was swift and permanent. The country’s internet and mobile data providers blocked access to the app, and overnight its 200 million users found they could no longer log in.
The ban came after a deadly military confrontation in the Galwan Valley, where twenty Indian and four Chinese soldiers were killed, and ties between the two Asian giants plunged to a new low. India didn’t just target TikTok — they banned 59 Chinese apps in total, citing national security concerns and data privacy issues.
At the time, India was TikTok’s largest market outside of China. The app had become a cultural phenomenon during the COVID-19 lockdowns, with millions of Indians creating content ranging from dance videos to comedy skits. Its sudden disappearance left a massive void that platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts have been trying to fill ever since.
The Bigger Picture
India’s TikTok ban was actually ahead of the curve. TikTok is presently banned in 23 countries, and the list may increase further. The U.S. has been wrestling with its own TikTok concerns for years, and just recently implemented its own ban that’s creating significant disruption for American users.
What happened in India offers a preview of what a complete TikTok ban looks like in practice. Unlike the U.S., where legal challenges and corporate maneuvering have created uncertainty, India’s approach was definitive. In 2025, It remains banned.
Why People Want TikTok Back
The excitement around the false comeback rumors reveals just how much Indians miss the platform. While Instagram Reels and other short-video apps have filled some of the gap, TikTok had a unique culture and algorithm that many users felt was never quite replicated.
The improving diplomatic relations between India and China have given people hope that economic and technological restrictions might start loosening up. But as this week’s events show, there’s a big difference between diplomatic warming and policy changes on sensitive national security issues.
What’s Next?
For now, Indian TikTok fans will have to continue relying on alternative platforms. The government’s quick response to this week’s rumors suggests they’re not planning any policy changes anytime soon, regardless of improving China relations.
The incident serves as a reminder of how quickly misinformation can spread on social media — ironically, the very platforms that filled TikTok’s void. In an age where a single screenshot can spark nationwide rumors, this week’s TikTok “comeback” story might just become a case study in how hope and speculation can sometimes get ahead of facts.
As for TikTok’s actual return to India? That remains as elusive as ever, despite what your Twitter feed might have suggested this week.
What’s different between Mustang & Shelby?
About the Author
