Ban on TikTok, AliExpress, and Shein Still in Place, Confirms Government

New Delhi, August 23 (TNA) Amid speculation on social media, the government on Friday confirmed that the ban on Chinese platforms TikTok, AliExpress, and Shein has not been lifted. The clarification followed claims that some users could access TikTok’s homepage and browse AliExpress or Shein, though without the ability to make purchases.

These apps were banned in June 2020, along with several others, following the escalation of border tensions between India and China. The move was taken citing national security and data privacy concerns. Since then, TikTok—once India’s most downloaded app—has remained unavailable despite repeated rumours of its return.

Earlier this year, however, a few previously banned Chinese apps quietly reappeared on digital stores. Platforms such as Xender and TanTan resurfaced, some in their original versions and others as clones. Yet, TikTok remained absent from official app stores.

An OSINT investigation by India Today revealed that as of February 10, at least 36 banned apps had returned to either Google’s Play Store or Apple’s App Store. Officials, however, stressed that the government’s ban on TikTok, AliExpress, and Shein remains intact.