TLDRs;
- TikTok remains banned in India, despite temporary website access sparking rumors of its return.
- Government officials confirmed no change under IT Act Section 69A; the 2020 ban is still active.
- Network misconfigurations caused the brief accessibility, echoing a similar incident in September 2022.
- TikTok faces mounting global scrutiny, with Canada and Western nations examining security risks tied to the platform.
TikTok, the short-video giant owned by ByteDance, has reaffirmed that it remains officially banned in India, putting to rest a wave of speculation triggered by brief website accessibility earlier this week.
The app has been blocked since June 2020, when the Indian government imposed restrictions on dozens of Chinese-linked applications citing national security concerns.
The confusion started after users reported being able to load TikTok’s website without using a VPN, leading to rumors that the platform might be making a quiet return. However, TikTok swiftly dismissed such claims, confirming that no changes had been made to its accessibility status. A company spokesperson stated that TikTok continues to comply with Indian government directives, which remain unchanged.
Officials from India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology also weighed in, clarifying that the ban, enforced under section 69A of the IT Act, remains fully active.
Network Misconfiguration Sparks Speculation
The momentary access to TikTok’s site, according to industry experts, was likely caused by a network-level misconfiguration, a technical glitch that can momentarily bypass restrictions at the internet service provider (ISP) level.
After a five-year ban, #TikTok's website has become partially accessible in #India, sparking speculation about a potential return. While some users can access the homepage, other sections remain blocked, and the app is still unavailable on app stores.
More details 🔗… pic.twitter.com/C5mxBUHZNk
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) August 22, 2025
This is not the first time such an incident has happened. In September 2022, similar technical errors briefly allowed Indian users to access TikTok and other blocked sites. Such lapses highlight the challenges regulators face in maintaining nationwide digital bans, which require continuous coordination across ISPs and infrastructure operators.
Although these misconfigurations are typically corrected within hours, they often spark media speculation and public confusion, especially when they involve high-profile platforms like TikTok.
From Content Issues to Security Enforcement
TikTok’s regulatory journey in India reflects how platform governance has shifted from narrow content concerns to broad national security enforcement.
Back in April 2019, the app faced a temporary suspension after the Madras High Court flagged concerns about child safety and explicit content. TikTok swiftly removed millions of videos to comply with court directives, and the suspension was lifted within weeks.
However, the June 2020 ban marked a turning point. Amid escalating border tensions between India and China, New Delhi cited national security threats and permanently blocked TikTok alongside nearly 60 other Chinese apps. The move affected roughly 200 million TikTok users in India, abruptly ending one of the app’s largest and fastest-growing markets.
Global Scrutiny Adds to TikTok’s Challenges
While India remains a critical loss for TikTok, regulatory scrutiny is mounting elsewhere. In Canada, the platform is actively engaging with officials to avoid a potential shutdown tied to national security concerns.
Reports indicate that TikTok has proposed localized data security frameworks, similar to its “Project Texas” initiative in the United States and “Project Clover” in Europe, to assure governments of user data protection.
These measures, however, have not fully convinced policymakers. Skeptics argue that TikTok’s ties to parent company ByteDance continue to raise unresolved concerns about data flow and influence.
