TikTok Still Banned in India Despite Website Accessibility Buzz, Government Clarifies

The rumors of TikTok being back in India have sparked widespread discussion where former users are claiming its return as they could access its website. However, the government of India clarified yesterday that the ban isn’t lifted and any such information surfacing the web about TikTok is misleading and false. 

The rumor is said to be started by some Indian users who noticed the TikTok website (which was banned for the past 5 years) was accessible. This sparked the wave of speculation on social media and new portals that made a little speculation  a hot discussion urging the government to step up promptly and clarify the claims. 

The government sources from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology gave the official statement on TikTok back in India, making it clear that the TikTok app remains banned, and no official “unblocking” or return order has been issued.

As per TOI’s article, the TOI team tried accessing TikTok, the website opened (could access the homepage only) but the app remained unavailable. When the team members of edinbox tried, we were prompted to an error page stating “this site can’t be reached.”  This clarifies that any website access like that of AliExpress, TikTok, shein, appears to be a technical glitch and does not equate to the app’s official lift of the ban.

This Chinese application was banned in June 2020 in India and 58 other countries due to border tension. The government gave 3 prominent reasons for the ban of TikTok App: 

• Risk of national security
• Data privacy breaches 
• Criminal activities and public threats 

Experts reported that this app was leaking data to servers outside India, especially China. This was compromising millions of users’ personal and sensitive data, which is why putting a ban became necessary. 

Fast forward to 2025, with India-China diplomatic relations showing improvement, including planned visits by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to China in late August 2025, the speculation of TikTok returning is buzzing. However, as of now the officials maintain that the ban on TikTok still stands and emphasised on dismissing any claims of TikTok's return.