The excitement was palpable across social media in India this week. After five long years since its ban, TikTok appeared to be back—at least, its website was suddenly accessible for many users across the country. But is the viral short-video app truly making its triumphant return, or is this a false alarm? Let’s break down the facts.
What Sparked the Buzz?
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In August 2025, numerous users reported being able to load TikTok’s official website without using a VPN. This immediate accessibility sent waves of speculation about an imminent relaunch of the app in India.
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The app itself, however, remained unavailable on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Users could not log in, post, or watch videos—even if they could reach the homepage.
Government’s Clarification
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Indian government sources quickly rejected rumors of TikTok’s unban. In public statements, they confirmed “The Government of India has not issued any unblocking order for TikTok. Any such statement or news is false and misleading”.
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The Ministry of Electronics and IT clarified: TikTok’s ban, imposed in June 2020 under Section 69A of the IT Act over national security concerns, remains enforced. The website’s brief accessibility was chalked up to a network glitch or misconfiguration, not a policy reversal.
Why Was TikTok Banned?
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TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps were banned in June 2020, following deadly border clashes between India and China and suspicions over data privacy and national security. The move instantly cut off over 200 million Indian users.
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At that time, the government cited concerns that these apps “were engaged in activities prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the state and public order”.
Diplomatic Context
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The buzz about TikTok’s return comes amid improving relations between India and China. Recent diplomatic meetings and the resumption of border trade and flight connectivity have fueled speculation that banned Chinese apps might eventually make a legal comeback.
Is TikTok Actually Back?
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As of August 23, 2025: TikTok is not officially back in India. The app’s website may be intermittently accessible, but there is no regulatory approval or government order lifting the ban.
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Neither ByteDance nor the Indian government has made an official announcement about a relaunch. Until a formal green light is given, TikTok cannot operate in India, and users will have to wait.
The Bottom Line
While TikTok momentary digital footprint sparked excitement, it remains blocked on Indian app stores, and all signs point to the ban staying in place for now. For millions of Indian fans and creators, the app’s real comeback is still a hope, not a reality. Keep watching the headlines—TikTok in India is still a story in progress.
