TikTok, the social media giant known for its short-form videos, has once again found itself in the headlines, this time for fresh controversies surrounding its operations and potential impact on national security. Recently, TikTok has been in the news for a new round of concerns about its potential ban in the United States, where lawmakers have raised alarms about its data privacy practices and its ties to the Chinese government. However, its story isn’t new to controversy, especially in India, where the app was banned almost five years ago.
What Is TikTok?
TikTok is a popular mobile app that allows users to create and share short videos, often set to music or sound bites, with a vast range of inbuilt effects and filters in the app. Launched in 2016 by the Chinese tech company ByteDance, the app quickly shot to fame, thanks to the large young user base in India.
TikTok’s unique algorithm, which personalises content based on user behaviour, played a major role in its success, making it incredibly addictive. By 2020, it had amassed over 2 billion downloads globally, dominating the social media market.
Why was TikTok banned in India?
TikTok was banned in India in June 2020 by the Indian government citing a range of reasons for the ban, with national security concerns being at the forefront. The Indian government expressed its concerns that TikTok posed a threat to the privacy of its users. There were fears that user data, which could include sensitive personal information, could be shared with the Chinese government, especially given the country’s data-sharing laws. India’s Information Technology Ministry argued that the app violated the country’s sovereignty and integrity, warning that such data could potentially be used for espionage purposes.
In addition to data security issues, there were concerns about the nature of the content on TikTok. Critics argued that the app was being used to spread inappropriate or harmful material, particularly content that could negatively impact young people. These concerns were compounded by TikTok’s algorithm, which some argued promoted extreme and controversial content to generate views and engagement.
The Indian government’s decision to ban TikTok was part of a broader move to block several Chinese apps amid rising geopolitical tensions between India and China. The two countries were involved in a border dispute, and the Indian government framed the ban as part of a broader effort to protect national security. At the time, India was one of TikTok’s largest markets, and the ban affected millions of Indian users and creators who had built substantial followings on the platform.
The impact of the ban and global fallout
ByteDance faced a major setback. India represented one of the app’s biggest and most lucrative markets, and its sudden departure from the market created challenges for the company’s global strategy. However, the ban also served as a cautionary tale for other countries considering similar actions, especially as concerns about data security and app governance grew.
What’s Next for TikTok?
Although TikTok remains banned in India, the app has continued to grow in other parts of the world. Despite facing increasing scrutiny in the United States and other Western nations over its links to China and its data practices, TikTok has largely continued to thrive, particularly in regions such as Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. The app has also worked to reassure regulators by ramping up transparency efforts and introducing measures to protect user data and privacy.
In India, however, the ban remains in place, and TikTok has not been able to return to the market despite occasional discussions. The company has made efforts to appeal to the Indian government, suggesting that it could comply with new regulations, but so far, these efforts have not led to a reversal of the ban.