The recent passage of legislation by the US House of Representatives targeting TikTok, a platform embraced by over 170 million Americans, echoes a decision made earlier by the Indian government, which took the pioneering step of banning the Chinese short-video app on June 29, 2020.
At the time of its ban, TikTok enjoyed a considerable user base in India, emerging as one of its largest markets outside of China. The Indian government's decision to block TikTok, along with 59 other Chinese apps, was grounded in concerns regarding national security. This move marked the beginning of a series of app bans, totaling over 300, including popular ones like WeChat, Shareit, Helo, and Likee, among others. The rationale behind these bans stemmed from violations of Section 69 of the IT Act and the presence of content deemed detrimental to India's sovereignty and integrity.
Following the ban, TikTok opted to dismiss its entire Indian workforce, comprising approximately 40 employees. Additionally, in a bid to mitigate information leaks, the Indian Army instructed its personnel to remove 89 mobile apps, including numerous Chinese ones, from their devices.
The security concerns surrounding TikTok primarily revolve around its ties to the Chinese government, prompting fears that Beijing could potentially access user data through the app. While TikTok has maintained that American user data is stored domestically, apprehensions persist.
Notably, Nepal joined the ranks of countries imposing bans on TikTok, citing concerns over content that could disrupt social harmony.
Meanwhile, India has witnessed a surge in the adoption of short-form video platforms, boasting a user base exceeding 250 million. This demographic predominantly comprises individuals from tier-2 cities, semi-urban, and rural areas, many of whom hail from middle to high-income backgrounds, as per recent reports.
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