TikTok may still be banned in India, but the company has quietly started hiring again. Two new job openings have appeared on LinkedIn for TikTok’s Gurgaon office. This has naturally raised eyebrows and sparked speculation about whether the app is planning a return. So, what exactly is happening? Let’s break it down.
The current status of TikTok in India
TikTok, owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, was banned in India back in June 2020. It was one of 59 Chinese apps that the government blocked following border clashes with China in Galwan Valley. The official reason was national security and data privacy concerns.
Before the ban, TikTok had nearly 200 million users in India, making it one of the company’s biggest markets. Since then, the app has remained unavailable on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Recently, a few users noticed TikTok’s website becoming partially accessible, but government officials have clarified that there is no order to unblock the platform. In short, the ban is still very much in place.
The new job listings
Despite the ban, TikTok has put up two openings in its Gurgaon office. Both roles are linked to the company’s Trust and Safety division, which looks after content moderation and user wellbeing.
Content Moderator (Bengali Speaker)
The role involves monitoring and filtering content on TikTok to make sure it follows the platform’s rules.
It includes handling sensitive material, removing harmful content, and ensuring online safety for users.
Candidates need to be fluent in both English and Bengali, have an understanding of internet rules and cultural nuances, and preferably be graduates.
Wellbeing Partnership and Operations Lead
This is a senior role that focuses on wellbeing initiatives for TikTok’s regional teams.
It requires building wellbeing programmes, managing partner organisations, and ensuring compliance with global policies.
Candidates need at least five years of experience in project management and the ability to understand wellbeing data.
What this could mean
Hiring for these positions does not mean TikTok is officially coming back to India right now. The government has not lifted the ban, and the app remains unavailable to download. However, the recruitment activity does suggest that the company is keeping a presence in India and preparing for the future.
For now, TikTok is still off-limits to Indian users, but the job postings show that ByteDance has not completely shut the door on the Indian market.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
