As India and China’s relations improving, many tech experts believe that the famous TikTok app, which was banned by the Indian government in 2020, could now make a comeback! So are these rumours true? Will TikTok Comeback in India? What will happen to Instagram and YouTube shorts? Let’s uncover everything about this news in detail below with latest facts!
As I open social media on my phone with a sip of my morning tea, one thing keeps coming up over and over again – “TikTok is coming back!” “No need for VPN!” The coffee in my hand pauses. Really? Or is this just another viral rumour, as has happened many times in the last few years? As a content creator and someone who has studied the digital landscape in depth, I decided to get to the bottom of the facts. And here is what I bring to you.
Rewind to the year 2020. After the unfortunate Galwan Valley incident, the Indian government banned 59 Chinese apps, including TikTok, in view of national security and data privacy. At the time, TikTok had over 200 million users in India and it was its largest market. The ban created a vacuum that was quickly filled by Indian apps like Chingari and Moj to global giants Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. Today, these platforms are ruling the short-video ecosystem in India.
So why is there a sudden buzz about TikTok’s comeback? It has its roots in both politics and economics. An apparent chill in India-China relations has eased in recent months. Direct flights have resumed, trade talks have picked up, and the prospect of PM Modi attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit has raised hopes of a new cordiality. This shift is also influenced by the recent tensions between the US and India. As published in a report of BBC, the US’ imposition of a 50% tariff on Indian goods, especially on Russian oil imports, has put India in a difficult position. In such a scenario, increasing economic cooperation with China seems like a strategic move for India.
This changing dynamics is having a direct impact on the tech sector. This is why apps like Shein have managed to make a comeback in India by partnering with Reliance Retail and apps like Xender by following strict data localisation rules. These examples are like a ‘playbook’ for TikTok. This shows that if Chinese apps join hands with Indian companies and fully comply with India’s data laws, the way can be made for them.
But will it be so easy for TikTok? In my view, absolutely not. TikTok is no ordinary app; it runs on the power of a powerful algorithm, which understands the likes and dislikes of users so deeply that it is considered a potential threat to ‘cognitive autonomy’. Many experts believe that this algorithm can also serve the interests of the Chinese government. This is the reason why countries like America, Canada, and EU have also banned TikTok. It is certain that the Indian government will take these concerns seriously.
Let me share a personal experience. Before the ban, I had a small TikTok account of my own, where I used to create educational content. Its reach and method of analysis was amazing. But after that I had to shift to Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. Although these platforms are also great and have given creators better monetization opportunities, the ‘viral’ magic like TikTok has rarely been felt. If TikTok comes back, it will pose a big challenge to the existing platforms. This will break the dominance of Meta (Facebook, Instagram) and Google (YouTube) in the world of advertisements and creators will have more options, which can be a good thing.
But the biggest question is of public sentiment. Will the common user of India, especially the youth who have become more politically aware in the post-2020 era, embrace a Chinese app again? The spirit of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ is no longer just a slogan, but it has become a ground reality. People have developed a mindset of preferring local products and platforms. In such a situation, TikTok will have to overcome not only legal and technical hurdles, but also the hurdle of public trust.
So, what is the conclusion? Is TikTok’s return ‘confirmed’? At this point of time, there has been no such official confirmation. All the discussions going on social media are based on speculations and possibilities. Yes, it is quite possible that if ByteDance (TikTok’s parent company) meets all the conditions of the Indian government – data localization, transparency, and possibly an Indian partnership – there could be a way out. But it won’t be easy.
So, the next time you see a viral post saying “TikTok is Back!”, pause for a moment and think. This is not just a rumor but a sign of a complex geopolitical and economic game. The truth is that any news of TikTok’s return is incomplete until there is an official statement from the Indian government or ByteDance. Until then, keep appreciating the new digital ecosystem that our country’s dynamic and talented creators have built.
