With
the Government of India posing ban on 59 Chinese apps across the country, the
much publicized Chinese video-making app, TikTok, said that the company
representative was also invited by the Government bodies to respond and submit
their clarifications in this regards.
The TikTok India issued its statement on
Tuesday, a day after it was blocked. Citing security threats, the GOI
government has on Monday banned TikTok, along with 59 top Chinese apps. The
latest move of the Indian government move came amid escalating tensions between
India and China over the June 15 clash in Ladakh in which 20 Indian soldiers
were killed in action. TikTok, UC Browser, WeChat, Shareit and CamScanner are
among the Chinese apps that were blocked by the government for engaging in
activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of
India, security of state and public order, the government said.
The Full Statement issued by TikTok India
envisages, “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 clarifications. TikTok continues to
comply with all data privacy and security requirements under Indian law and
have not shared any information of our users in India with any foreign
government, including the Chinese Government. Further, if we are requested to
in, we would not do so. We place the highest importance on user privacy and
integrity”.
The TikTok has democratized the internet by making it available in 14 Indian languages, with hundreds of millions of users, artists, story-tellers, educators and performers depending on it for their livelihood, many of whom are first time internet users. The entire statement was issued under the letter head of the Head of TikTok India, Nikhil Gandhi.