You cannot download TikTok on Android anymore: Here's why
What's the story
Amid calls for a ban in India, China's popular short-form video sharing app TikTok has hit a major roadblock - from Google.
The tech giant has pulled the company's app from Play Store, effectively blocking its downloads in the country.
The move came just a day after directives were issued to both Google and Apple to remove the app.
Here are the details.
HC ban
Call for ban on TikTok
After an activist group launched a PIL, the Madras HC asked the Centre to ban the app, noting that it encourages pornography, exposes children to inappropriate content.
"The children are exposed to strangers and there's a possibility of the photographs, and other private details of the children are being landed in the hands of predators or third parties," the bench hearing the case said.
Action
Ban suspension request refused, app removed
Just yesterday, TikTok, owned by Chinese giant ByteDance, requested suspension of the ban, but the HC refused.
The Centre even issued a directive to Google and Apple to comply with the HC order and prohibit the downloads of the app on their respective stores.
Now, in response, Google has taken down the app from Play Store, blocking its download completely on Android, Reuters reported.
Issue
Now, TikTok is missing from Play Store
While TikTok is no longer available on the Google Play Store, it's worth noting that the move only blocks further downloads of the video-sharing app.
This means that those who have already downloaded the platform would be able to continue using it, without any problems.
Google denied commenting on the matter, saying it doesn't respond on individual app cases but complies with local laws.
Pressure
Meanwhile, this builds pressure on Apple
Now that Google has blocked TikTok, all eyes will be on Apple which has neither commented on the matter nor pulled the app from its App Store.
Users can still download and use the app on iOS (as of early Wednesday), but if Apple chooses to side with Google and the government, it would be a severe blow for TikTok and ByteDance.
TikTok position
TikTok boasts over 120 million users in India
Having said that, TikTok's future now looks shady in India, one of its top markets.
The service is already been banned in Bangladesh, but here, it boasts of a whopping 120 million users, which is nearly a quarter of its global user base.
These users create 15-second-long lip-syncing videos revolving around jokes, movies, and music and contributing to the platform's staggering growth.