TikTok Might Make a Comeback in India as ByteDance Looks for a Partnership

If you are a TikTok fan in India and have been using VPNs to access the platform following its “permanent” ban in the country, we have some good news for you. TikTok might soon officially make its return to India as ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is looking to join hands with an Indian firm. Check out the details below right now!

TikTok Might Soon Relaunch in India

TikTok wasinitially banned by the Indian governmentback in 2020 as part of the country’s fight against Chinese entities. Although there were reports,hintingat the possible return of the platform in India, it never happened.

However, according to a recentreportbyThe Economic Times,ByteDance could partner with a Mumbai-based company named Hiranandani Group to bring TikTok back to India. Hiranandani Group, for those unaware, is a big name in the real-estate sector in India. It was established back in 1978 by Surendra and Niranjan Hiranandani and currently has multiple projects in metro cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai.

The company also hasmany operational data centers under Yotta Infrastructure Solutionsand also launched a consumer services platform named Tez Platforms. It expects to invest up to Rs 3,500 crores in new businesses in the next 2-3 years.

As per sources familiar with the matter, ByteDance and Hiranandani Group are in early talks with each other for a possible partnership to bring back TikTok. The former has also reportedlystarted hiring new and existing employees in India to prepare for the return. ByteDance has reportedly re-hired Gautam Vohra as the Head of Legal, South Asia, Regional Counsel, the Middle East after the executive left the company back in August 2021.

However, much like whatKrafton faced with BGMI,ByteDance will need to follow certain authoritative rules set by the government to operate in India. They will need to store user data locally in India and might also have to rename its brand. ByteDance could use Hiranandani’s reach and resources such as the Tez platforms and the data centers to support its technical infrastructure for this.

Economic Times reached out to a senior government official regarding the situation, and he said that“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 approvals, we will examine their request.“

Now, it is worth mentioning that if and when TikTok makes its return to India, it would have to face heavy competition from some major players likeInstagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and more such platforms that have gained popularity in India while TikTok was legally banned in the country. Nonetheless, none of the above platforms have been able to gainthe amount of popularity as TikTokin the recent past. So it will be interesting to see how ByteDance manages to deal with the government to bring back TikTok. Stay tuned for further updates, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Dwaipayan Sengupta

A geek at heart, you’ll find me fidgeting with an iOS device or sitting in front of the laptop, scouring the internet to find interesting technological innovations. In my free time, you’d find me playing Valorant or listening to Pink Floyd.

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