August 23, 2025
The Indian government has reiterated that the ban on the Chinese-owned short-video platform TikTok remains in effect, despite reports of limited access to its website by some users. The platform, which was officially prohibited in June 2020 over data security and privacy concerns, continues to be blocked across the country.
Government sources clarified on Friday that claims suggesting the ban had been lifted were “false and misleading.” Officials emphasized that no directives have been issued to revoke or modify the 2020 ban. They further stated that TikTok has not submitted any formal request to seek the lifting of restrictions.
A spokesperson for TikTok also addressed the issue, stating that the company remains compliant with the existing ban. While parts of the TikTok website have become accessible, including pages such as “About” and “Contact,” core functionalities like user login, content viewing, and app downloads remain unavailable.
The limited accessibility of the website has led to public speculation regarding a potential return of the platform to India. However, both government authorities and TikTok have confirmed that no changes to the ban have been made. Users are advised to exercise caution and refrain from relying on unverified reports regarding the platform’s status.
The 2020 ban on TikTok was instituted amid concerns over data security and the protection of user privacy. It has remained in place since then, reflecting India’s continued vigilance against apps deemed to pose potential national security risks.
In conclusion, despite the sporadic website access, TikTok remains banned in India, and there is no official signal that the ban will be lifted in the immediate future.
