Millions of Indian users are hooked onto sharing videos on TikTok and India is one of the biggest markets for the app. But in recent weeks, TikTok has become a hub for anti-national content which is shared extensively on the app.
The Indian Government has issued a notice along with 21 sets of questions to TikTok, threatening to ban the app if they do not receive an appropriate answer, said official sources.
RSS affiliate, Swadeshi Jagran Manch, wrote a letter to the prime minister on July 13, asking to ban TikTok and Helo. The organisation stated that the apps were exposing young people of the country and negatively influencing them at an early stage. It was also noted that these influencers are paid for campaigns and promoting products and ideologies.
It was also noted that the apps are secretly collecting excessive data. ByteDnce, who own the app, is being questioned. The government asked if the companies can confirm that the data of Indian users will not be transferred to any other foreign companies or any other third party. Also, if they fail to give an appropriate answer, the apps are likely to be banned in India.
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TikTok and Helo, both gave a statement, “In line with our commitment to India, we are investing $1 billion in India over the next three years, with a strategic focus on developing technology infrastructure, establishing local partnerships and supporting initiatives such as the Skill India Programme which are proud to be assisting with already.”
