Google blocks access to TikTok in India, says news report

A news report in Reuters said Google had blocked access to the TikTok app in India to comply with a Madras High Court’s directive to prohibit its downloads.

In its April 3 order, the Madras HC said it was evident from media reports that pornography and inappropriate content were made available through such mobile applications. It had also directed the media not to telecast video clips made with TikTok.

The government on April 15 had asked tech giants Google and Apple to comply with the Madras HC order.

Sources said instructions in this regard were sent to the two American companies on April 15 after the Supreme Court refused to stay the April 3 order of Madras High Court.

On April 15, the Supreme Court said the ban directive was just an interim order and that the high court is scheduled to hear the matter on April 16.

The app, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, allows users to create short videos and then share them.

In a statement on Tuesday, TikTok said it has faith in the Indian judicial system.

“We are optimistic about an outcome that would allow over 120 million monthly active users in India to continue using TikTok to showcase their creativity and capture moments that matter in their everyday lives,” it said.