TikTok removed from App store, Google Play Store after India bans 59 Chinese apps
After the Government of India announced a ban on 59 Chinese apps on Monday, TikTok on Tuesday responded to the move and stated that "TikTok has been invited to meet with concerned government stakeholders for an opportunity to respond and submit clarification." TikTok has been removed from the play store and App store.
In a letter written by Nikhil Gandhi, head of TikTok, it has been stated that "The Government of India has issued an interim order for the blocking of 59 apps, including TikTok and we are in the process of complying with it."
"We have been invited to meet with concerned government stakeholders for an opportunity to respond and submit clarification," it added.
It further stated that "TikTok continues to comply with all data privacy and security requirements under Indian law and has not shared any information of our users in India with any foreign government, including the Chinese Government."
It also stated that TikTok has democratized the internet by making it available in 14 Indian languages, with hundreds of millions of users, artists, storytellers, educators and performers depending on it for their livelihood, many of whom are first-time internet users.
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The order issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) stated that 59 apps that have been banned by the Government of India “are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, the security of the state and public order”.
