Will support creators in India during interim ban of app: TikTok CEO

New Delhi

Mayer, who is also the COO of ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, said their creator managers are actively engaging with top creators to reassure them of their efforts and updates about the path forward. “Our platform has encountered an unfortunate challenge in India. However, we stay resolved and committed to our mission, and are working with stakeholders to address their concerns,” Mayer said in a message addressed to about 2,000 TikTok employees in India. “TikTok continues to comply with all data privacy and security requirements under Indian law and places the highest importance on user privacy and integrity,” he added. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed telecom operators and internet service providers to block access to all the 59 Chinese apps, including TikTok, banned by the government with immediate effect.

DoT has asked all the service players to comply with the order and submit compliance reports. Mayer said since 2018, it has worked hard to ensure that over 200 million users in India are able to express their joy and creativity, celebrate self-expression, and share experiences with a growing global community. “TikTok has enabled hundreds of millions of users to enjoy the creative works of artists, storytellers, educators and performers from across the country who have forged new avenues of livelihood improvement,” he stressed. After the ban came into force, the Chinese short-video making app said it was in the process of complying with the Indian government order.

Nikhil Gandhi, Head of TikTok India, said the firm has been invited to meet with concerned government stakeholders for an opportunity to respond and submit clarifications. As per Mayer, “the creator community is what defines us and we take pride in the diversity of the creators on our platform. Our daily audience of millions of users in India have come to rely on the joy and inspiration that TikTok provides every day in a unique and democratised environment.” The Centre on Monday banned 59 Chinese apps including TikTok, WeChat and UC Browser over national security concerns.