Website goes live for some users, fueling rumors; Government asserts ban still stands under Section 69A, no official comeback in sight
22 August 2025, New Delhi
After five years of silence, TikTok suddenly reappeared—but only halfway. On Friday, several Indian users reported that TikTok’s official website opened without VPN, triggering a frenzy of speculation: Is the short-video giant staging a comeback?
Government’s Clear Stand
As per Economic Times, A senior official from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) told reporter that:
“TikTok is still banned in India. No orders have been issued to revoke the restrictions under Section 69A of the IT Act,”.
There is no app on Google Play or App Store, and ByteDance has issued no official statement on any relaunch.
The Significance Behind the Buzz
TikTok wasn’t just another app when it was banned on June 29, 2020; it was India’s biggest social media disruptor, with 150 million monthly active users and an entire creator economy built around it. Its sudden exit boosted platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, which dominate today.
If TikTok genuinely returns, it could reshuffle the creator economy and reopen policy debates on data security and digital sovereignty.
Public Reactions: Hope and Doubt
- Manoj Sharma, 48 stated: “TikTok made stars out of ordinary people. If this is for real, it’s big. But until the app is back on Play Store, I’m not convinced.”
- “It feels more like a technical glitch or a test. But honestly, I miss the original TikTok vibe. I just hope if it returns, it plays by the rules this time” stated Prateeksha Thakur, 25.
A Quick Timeline
- 2017: TikTok enters India
- June 29, 2020: Banned under Section 69A
- January 2021: Ban made permanent
- 2022: ByteDance explores partnerships
- August 2025: Website partially accessible for some users
For now, TikTok’s reappearance is nothing more than a digital whisper—a reminder of its past dominance and the power it still holds in India’s imagination. But whispers can turn into waves. The real question isn’t whether TikTok can return; it’s whether India is ready to let it.
