- TikTok has been hidden from search results in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
- The popular social media app has been banned by the Indian government along with 58 other
Chinese apps . - Other banned apps such as ShareIt and UC Browser are still listed on the Play Store.
"We have been invited to meet concerned government stakeholders for an opportunity to respond and submit clarifications," Nikhil Gandhi, head of TikTok India, $4.
"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," he further added.
While the app has been hidden from search results in the Play Store and the App Store, users can still use Google search to look for these apps and download from the respective app stores on their Android devices or iPhones.
Interestingly, other apps such as UC Browser and ShareIt that were banned along with TikTok are still available on the Play Store and the App Store.
The 59 Chinese apps that were banned by the government include apps like TikTok, ShareIt, UC Browser, Shein, Club Factore, Helo and more.
In an official $4, the government said, "The Ministry of Information Technology, invoking its power under section 69A of the Information Technology Act and in view of the emergent nature of threats has decided to block 59 apps.”
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“They are engaged in activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order,” the government further added.
The ban on TikTok and other Chinese apps comes in the backdrop of the India-China border clashes in the Galwan Valley region. The border clashes had resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers and had left several injured.
Update: This story was updated to reflect the fact that TikTok has only been hidden from search results in both the app stores.
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