TikTok wanting to launch in India AGAIN! But can it pass THIS hurdle?

TikTok is looking to make a comeback to India after a brutal exit a few years ago! If the reports are true, TikTok owner Bytedance is willing to look for a partner in India to re-launch the popular “short video” making app. It is said that the company is already in talks with Indian real estate firm Hiranandani to form an alliance and bring back the app to India. TikTok was one of the top platforms in India to create short length videos but was banned in 2020 following the border disputes between India and China, on the account of threat to national security.

The report from ET suggests that Bytedance “is looking to strike a new partnership in India and rehire former as well as new employees.” The company is wanting to re-enter one India, which is one of the world's largest internet markets. TikTok's exit created opportunities for other players to jump in and fill up the gap. TikTok's biggest rivals like Moj, MX TakaTak, and even Meta have capitalised on this ban.

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TikTok could come back to India

Hiranandani is the name that has come up for this new venture. Hiranandani, a real estate firm, also runs data centre operations under Yotta Infrastructure Solutions and also launched a technology-led consumer service arm-Tez Platforms. It is said that the two companies are in the early stages of talks and are exploring whether this could be possible. The report says that Indian government has already been informed of the talks.

“There have been no formal talks with us yet. But we have been informed of the plans. As and when they come to us for approval, we will examine their request,” a government official told ET in the report.

What remains to be seen is whether the Indian government will allow Bytedance to bring back TikTok to India, considering the new rules laid out back then. When TikTok was banned, the Indian government said that all app developers need to store the user data of Indians within India. TikTok, along with PUBG Mobile, were found to export this data to Chinese servers at the time.

A TikTok representative told ET that the company is looking forward to connect with Indian users again.

Will TikTok hold up in India now?

If TikTok gets a green light for India, the platform will face tough competition of local players like Moj and MX Takatak. Additionally, Instagram Reels has caught up like a sensation and is currently the go-to choice for most creators. TikTok will have to do something different in order to lure back creators to its platform.