TikTok is a popular short-form video platform owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. It launched in India in 2017 and quickly became one of the most downloaded apps in the country. By early 2020, India accounted for 30% of TikTok’s 2 billion downloads worldwide and was home to over 200 million monthly active users, making it the app’s largest market.
However, in June 2020, the Indian government banned TikTok along with 58 other Chinese apps amid rising tensions between the two countries. This forced TikTok to shut down its services in India, leading to the loss of its biggest userbase globally. While people found ways to bypass the ban initially, telecom providers like Jio started blocking TikTok completely, preventing access for its subscribers.
In recent months, there have been reports that TikTok has stopped working properly on Jio’s network across India. Users complain they are unable to access the app or watch videos while connected to Jio’s mobile data or WiFi services. This has caused widespread frustration among the millions of ex-TikTok users in India who still eagerly await the return of their favorite video app.
Timeline of Events
The issue between TikTok and Jio began in June 2020 when the Indian government banned TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps citing national security and privacy concerns after border clashes between India and China. This effectively blocked TikTok in India, which was one of its largest markets with over 200 million users.
In August 2020, TikTok’s parent company ByteDance was reportedly in talks with Reliance Jio to try to salvage TikTok’s operations in India by partnering with the telecom operator. However, the Indian government did not reverse its ban.
In 2021, TikTok continued to be unavailable on Jio networks in India due to the government ban. Jio also blocked access to TikTok’s website and APIs. Some users tried to circumvent the restrictions using VPNs, but TikTok still did not work properly on Jio.
As of now, TikTok remains banned and blocked on Jio and other networks in India. The future of TikTok’s operations in India remains uncertain until the government ban is potentially reversed.
Technical Reasons
There are a few technical methods that Jio appears to be using to block access to TikTok on its network:
Jio has implemented a firewall that is preventing connections to TikTok’s servers. This firewall blocks requests going to domains and IP addresses associated with TikTok.
Another technical method being used is DNS blocking. Jio is blocking Domain Name System (DNS) lookups for domains owned by TikTok. When a user tries to access TikTok, the DNS resolution fails which prevents the app from loading.
In addition to firewall and DNS blocking, Jio may also be blocking TikTok’s IP addresses directly. By blacklisting the IP address ranges belonging to TikTok, Jio can reject and drop any traffic destined for those IPs.
Between firewall rules, DNS blocking, and IP address filtering, Jio has multiple layers of technical blocks in place to prevent its network from accessing TikTok. These network-layer blocks are preventing the app and website from functioning on Jio cellular data.
Jio’s Stance
Jio restricted access to TikTok shortly after the Indian government banned the app due to national security concerns. In a statement, Jio said “We have received the directive from the Government of India and have fully complied with it by not enabling access to the listed banned URLs”.
As one of India’s largest telecom operators, Jio was obligated to enforce the government’s ban on TikTok within its networks. Jio cited compliance with government directives as the rationale for blocking access to TikTok. The company did not provide further justification beyond adhering to the ban mandated by authorities.
According to reports, Jio began blocking TikTok less than 24 hours after the app ban took effect. This swift action by Jio to restrict TikTok aligns with the company’s statement about complying with the government order.
TikTok’s Response
After the ban in India, TikTok representatives were invited to meet with government stakeholders to respond to and clarify any concerns, according to reports. However, TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew said in a recent interview that the company has not seen any evidence to justify India’s ban, calling it “hypothetical and theoretical”.
“The Indian government has not actually provided any feedback to us […] on any evidence that they may have to substantiate the suspension,” Chew said, as reported by Mint. He added that TikTok was “very open” to engaging with regulators and addressing any concerns.
While TikTok has contested the ban, the app remains blocked on major Indian networks like Jio, showing TikTok’s efforts to resolve the issue have not yet succeeded in restoring access.
Impact on Users
The ban of TikTok on Jio impacted users across India, especially younger demographics who relied on the app for entertainment, creative expression, and income generation. According to this source, TikTok had over 200 million monthly active users in India before the ban.
Many of these users have migrated to alternative platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Moj, MX TakaTak, Josh, and Roposo. However, these platforms have much smaller user bases in India. Influencers and content creators who relied on TikTok for revenue and fame have seen significant drops in followers and income after transitioning to other apps.
Legal Implications
TikTok has attempted legal recourse against the bans in India and the US. According to The Economic Times [1], TikTok is considering mounting a legal challenge against the Indian government’s ban. The ban was enacted in June 2020 over concerns about the app exposing children to inappropriate content. TikTok argues the ban was unconstitutional.
In the US, TikTok sued the Trump administration in 2020 over executive orders that would have banned the app [2]. While early court rulings blocked implementation of a ban, the legal fight exposed TikTok to continued regulatory scrutiny over data privacy and national security concerns.
Business Impact
TikTok’s ban in India on Jio’s network could have significant effects on both companies’ businesses. According to Business Insider, India was TikTok’s largest market with over 200 million monthly active users. Losing access to Jio’s network means TikTok misses out on engaging with those users, hurting growth and revenue. Jio has about 410 million subscribers, so blocking TikTok cuts off a massive chunk of TikTok’s core audience.
The ban also damages Jio’s reputation as an open network. While Jio frames it as protecting users, blocking a popular app suggests censorship, especially given political tensions between India and China. This could frustrate customers who enjoyed using TikTok. However, appealing to nationalist sentiments may also boost Jio’s standing if the ban is seen as taking a firm stance against Chinese tech firms amid broader geopolitical conflicts.
Potential Resolution
The issue between TikTok and Jio could potentially be resolved through negotiations and agreements between the companies. TikTok could work to satisfy any security concerns raised by Jio and commit to complying with local data privacy laws. Jio may request access to review TikTok’s code and security practices to vet the app. Compromises around data storage and content moderation may also help resolve conflicts.
The likelihood of a quick resolution seems low at the moment, given the tensions between India and China. However, if TikTok demonstrates a willingness to accommodate local requirements, negotiations could potentially lead to TikTok becoming available again on Jio within a few months. The two companies ultimately have a shared interest in providing services to Indian consumers. With constructive discussions and assurances around security, TikTok may eventually return on Jio’s network.
Conclusion
In summary, TikTok stopped working on Jio’s mobile network in India likely due to a dispute over content moderation and data privacy. While TikTok claims they want to operate in India safely and responsibly, Jio alleges TikTok is not following Indian laws and is a threat to security and user privacy. This has impacted millions of users and sparked tensions between the companies. The outlook remains uncertain as negotiations continue and both sides look for a resolution. This situation highlights the challenges of balancing business interests with local regulations in India’s dynamic digital economy.
Overall, if no agreement can be reached, TikTok may remain blocked on Jio. But a compromise could potentially be found to restore TikTok access while addressing Jio’s concerns. This will require productive dialogue and willingness to find middle ground from both companies. For TikTok, cooperating on content and privacy safeguards may be the path forward in this pivotal market. Jio also has incentives to satisfy customers who want TikTok access. How this plays out will be telling for tech regulation and doing business in India going forward.
