In a major decision, the Government of India has lifted restrictions on the TikTok website, allowing access after a gap of five years.
TikTok, owned by Chinese tech firm ByteDance, was among the popular apps banned by the Indian government in June 2020 due to security concerns. The platform had been one of the most widely used apps in India until the ban, with millions of active users creating and sharing short videos daily.
Along with TikTok, the government has also unblocked access to the AliExpress website. However, restrictions on online purchases through AliExpress will remain in place.
The reopening of TikTok’s website does not automatically confirm the return of the mobile app, but the move is being seen as a significant policy shift. It could potentially pave the way for ByteDance to re-establish its digital presence in India.
TikTok was once India’s most downloaded and widely used short-video platform, playing a key role in shaping the country’s digital content landscape before the ban. Its comeback, even in the form of a website, is expected to spark renewed discussions on the future of Chinese apps in the Indian market.