TikTok, an app allowing users to make short videos quickly, was banned in India due to privacy concerns in 2020, but its parent company ByteDance is looking into reinstating it.
Relaunching the app with a different name and revising its data policy could be one solution; Krafton took this route when relaunched their PUBG mobile game.
TikTok is back in India.
TikTok has made its return to India after an extended absence and recently reached 200 million users in India last year, although not without controversy: its content moderation practices were recently called into question when CarryMinati videos were removed from the platform, prompting widespread outrage from social media users, while Faizal Siddiqui’s acid attack spoof video caused even further disapproval among many social media users.
As a response to criticisms leveled against them, the company has hired a new head of moderation and developed a policy of its own. They plan to introduce ads that can be skipped within seconds, similar to YouTube pre-roll videos.
ByteDance is seeking partners in India to relaunch the app with the current name or one more suitable to Indian regulations. They previously changed PUBG Mobile from China-made PUBG Mobile due to licensing issues.
TikTok Music
TikTok provides millions of people with a source of music. Original sound libraries such as KARM, Massive Music, and The Elements Music offer royalty-free songs to creators on TikTok; some songs have even gone viral and been seen in over 1 billion videos! TikTok users frequently create dance challenges using these songs that showcase their artistic skills.
TikTok has become an effective way for artists and record labels to promote their music, with many young rappers amassing large followings before signing deals with major record labels.
Benee’s song, “Supalonely,” has been featured in over 45 million videos on TikTok; another popular video was “What You Know Bout Love,” by American rapper Pop Smoke which garnered over 12 million videos views – these clips showcase the authenticity that TikTok users appreciate.
TikTok esports
Gaming has quickly become one of the most significant categories on TikTok, and many esports brands are taking advantage of the platform to reach new audiences. Riot Games used it to launch its League of Legends World Championship final broadcast channel; events production company ESL opened two channels focusing on Counter-Strike: Global Offensive match highlights and other esports content; these channels have garnered over one billion views combined – some influencers even amassing massive fan bases!
Fortnite world cup champion Bugha has amassed an astounding 5.7 million TikTok followers. Additionally, TikTok can provide an effective means for esports organizations looking to engage with gamers through short-form video content. Hashtag activity surrounding certain games, such as #CallofDuty boasting 72 billion video views on YouTube compared to 368 billion for #Fortnite on both platforms combined!
Although gaming on TikTok has proven immensely popular, Republican FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr worries that it could be banned in America. He has asked Apple and Google to remove apps owned by Chinese firms from their respective app stores; furthermore, he introduced a bipartisan bill that would do just this.
TikTok clones
Since India recently banned TikTok, homegrown applications like Josh and Roposo have gained international investor interest. According to one Bengaluru-based VerSe Innovation app’s parent company, VerSe Innovation raised over $100 Million from tech titans such as Google and Microsoft.
TikTok has also begun mimicking features from larger rivals. Instagram introduced Stories last year – an attempt at recreating Snapchat’s popular format; and this week, TikTok unveiled a real-time sharing feature based on real.
TikTok may use this move to compete with Facebook and Instagram more successfully, but lifting features from competitors is nothing new for social media platforms, nor will larger apps likely be able to capture its popularity among younger audiences – particularly with teenagers for whom this company holds significant appeal despite already losing market share to competing apps.
