It's been a topsy turvy few weeks for popular video creating and sharing app, TikTok. The app has been banned from Google Play and App Store after a ruling from the Madras High Court.
Understandably, TikTok's creators, Bytedance have not taken to this
kindly and have called the ban a move that "amounts to curtailing of the rights of the citizens of India...who have been using the platform every day to express themselves and create content."
kindly and have called the ban a move that "amounts to curtailing of the rights of the citizens of India...who have been using the platform every day to express themselves and create content."
Yet, despite the application and its creators going through a bad few weeks, it's still not bad times for TikTok's over 120 million users in India. The reason for that is that in its order, the Madras High Court has has banned further downloading of the app, but has allowed the platform to function as before for the users that already use TikTok.
Not a crime to use TikTok
As per the order of the court, the only restrictions that have been imposed on the app is that it cannot be installed on new smartphones anymore. The idea is that new users are not allowed to join the app. However, it does not mean those who have the app already installed on their Android or iOS devices can't use it.
Yet, it's not good news for TikTok. The app already faces a ban in neighbouring Bangladesh and has been hit with an enormous fine in the United States for illegally collecting information from children.
Yet, TikTok and Bytedance remain optimistic about the future. "We have faith in the Indian judicial system, and we are optimistic about an outcome that would be well received by over 120 million monthly active users in India," Tiktok said in a statement Tuesday.
Facing increased pressure the app, which is owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, said last week it had taken down six million videos in India since last July which had infringed its guidelines.
The company said the measures were to "reinforce our ongoing commitment to ensure that our platform remains a safe and positive space for our Indian users."
