ByteDance-owned TikTok India has initiated recruitment for two positions at its Gurgaon office, sparking widespread speculation about the platform's potential return to India. The hiring activity comes despite official confirmation that the short-video app remains banned in the country.
Job postings appeared on professional networking platforms like LinkedIn, leading many industry observers to question whether the Indian government might be reconsidering its stance on the Chinese-owned application.
Is TikTok Returning to India?
According to LinkedIn, TikTok is actively recruiting for two distinct roles at its Gurugram office. The first position advertises for a "Content Moderator, Bengali Speaker (Trust and Safety)," while the second seeks a "Wellbeing Partnership and Operations Lead, Trust & Safety."
Both job postings went live on August 29, 2025. Within just three days, the second role attracted over 100 applications, indicating significant interest from Indian professionals despite the app's banned status.
Don't Miss:List of Important Days in September 2025: National and International Dates
Government Sources Deny Policy Changes
Government sources have not confirmed any modifications to TikTok's current status in India. The application remains unavailable for download on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store within Indian territories.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has explicitly clarified that reports suggesting TikTok's accessibility in India are incorrect. Recent technical glitches that briefly made the app accessible have been resolved, with authorities confirming these were temporary issues rather than policy reversals.
TikTok India Ban Explained
TikTok faced prohibition alongside 58 other mobile applications when the Indian government imposed a comprehensive ban in June 2020. The decision was made amid escalating geopolitical tensions between India and China, particularly following the Galwan Valley clash in eastern Ladakh.
ByteDance's flagship app was grouped with other Chinese applications, including UC Browser and WeChat, in the banned list. The government cited concerns related to India's sovereignty, security, and public order as primary reasons for the prohibition.
Before its removal from Indian markets, TikTok commanded an estimated 200 million users across the country. The platform had established itself as a dominant force in India's social media landscape, particularly among younger demographics and content creators.
The ban effectively eliminated one of TikTok's largest global markets, forcing millions of Indian users to migrate to alternative platforms and disrupting the livelihoods of numerous content creators who had built careers on the platform.
Improved Bilateral Relations Spark Hope
Recent improvements in India-China diplomatic relations have raised hopes among industry observers that ByteDance might engage with local authorities to explore re-entry possibilities. The gradual normalisation of bilateral ties could create opportunities for renewed discussions.
However, no official communications have emerged from either government regarding reconsideration of the digital app ban policies implemented during the 2020 border tensions.
Keep reading Herzindagi for more such stories.
Image Courtesy: Freepik
HerZindagi Video
Take charge of your wellness journey—download the HerZindagi app for daily updates on fitness, beauty, and a healthy lifestyle!
Comments
All Comments (0)
Join the conversation