Millions of American users logging into TikTok on January 19, 2025 were met with a startling pop-up message announcing the app's temporary unavailability. In an instant, the platform, which had become a cultural phenomenon in the U.S., had disappeared. While this felt sudden for many, the ban had been expected for years, with Donald Trump first raising the issue in 2020, after India imposed ban.
The pop-up read: "Important update from TikTok, we regret that a US law banning TikTok will take effect on January 19 and force us to make our services temporarily unavailable. We're working to restore our service in the US as soon as possible."
Some users received a message saying, “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
Ban arose from national security concerns
This ban, affecting TikTok's 17 crore American users, arose from national security concerns regarding the Chinese government's influence over the company. Other apps owned by ByteDance, such as the video editing app Capcut and the lifestyle social app Lemon8, were also removed from U.S. app stores on late Saturday.
TikTok officially suspended its services in the U.S. on Sunday after a key ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the government's decision to ban the app, echoing India's earlier stance against the Chinese-owned platform.
India had banned TikTok in 2020
On June 29, 2020, the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, banned TikTok and 58 other Chinese-owned apps, citing data security concerns. The government accused TikTok, owned by ByteDance, of misusing data and acting as a potential espionage tool. This decision came shortly after a deadly clash between Chinese and Indian troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
At tha time, India was TikTok's largest market, boasting over 20 crore active users. The Ministry of Information Technology stated that the ban was essential due to threats to India's sovereignty and security. The Ministry said that the apps were engaged in activities detrimental to the country's integrity.
TikTok was also accused of spreading harmful conten
Beyond privacy concerns, TikTok was also accused of spreading harmful content, including disinformation, cyberbullying, and inappropriate videos. There were reports of viral challenges leading to injuries and deaths, further fueling the government’s decision. Many parents and educators in India expressed concern over the negative influence the app could have on children and teenagers, who made up a significant portion of TikTok’s user base.
Ban on TikTok was part of a broader strategy
The ban on TikTok was part of a broader strategy by the Indian government to enhance digital sovereignty and reduce reliance on foreign technology, particularly from China. In addition to privacy concerns, TikTok faced accusations of spreading harmful content, including disinformation and cyberbullying, raising alarms among parents and educators about its impact on children and teenagers.
What TikTok India's head said?
In response to the ban, TikTok India's head, Nikhil Gandhi, asserted that the app had complied with all data privacy and security requirements under Indian law and had not shared user information with any foreign government, including China. He said the company was ncommitted to ensure user privacy and integrity.
Ban had shocked Indian influencers
The ban had shocked Indian influencers who had built their careers on the platform, leading many to shift to alternatives like YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels. Indian tech companies quickly developed substitute apps such as Moj, Josh, and Roposo, which gained some popularity but never matched TikTok's success.
India's decision to ban TikTok set a precedent, leading to increased scrutiny of the app in other countries, particularly in the West. In 2020, Donald Trump referred to India's actions to advocate for a similar ban in the U.S., highlighting the growing concerns over digital security and foreign influence.
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