TikTok eyes a possible comeback in India, trademark filing shows

TikTok could make a comeback to India soon, according to a trademark filed by its parent company ByteDance. The short video app was banned in India last year along with 58 other Chinese apps due to security concerns. TikTok was one of the most popular apps in India, and it also had the highest number of users in the country.


ByteDance has filed a trademark with the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, according to a report by NDTV Gadgets. It was first spotted by tipster Mukul Sharma who shared a screenshot of the same on Twitter. The trademark has been filed under the name “TickTock” and under Class 42 which is defined as, “Scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto; industrial analysis and research services; design and development of computer hardware and software.”


This doesn’t confirm that TikTok will indeed make a return to India but it does add to the ongoing speculation of the app’s possible comeback. ByteDance has also reportedly continued engaging in talks with the government on making TikTok available in India. The company has also approached the IT Ministry and PMO officials and assured them that it would comply with the new IT rules, according to a report by The Print. It also appointed its chief nodal and grievance officer in India late last year. ByteDance is also hopeful of the government lifting the ban on TikTok so that it can resume its operations, the report added.


Ever since the ban on TikTok last year, there have been reports around the app possibly returning to India. ByteDance was also in talks with the government to get the app back but there hasn’t been any progress yet. The company continued to employ its workforce of 2,000 employees in India but it started layoffs earlier this year after the ban was made permanent.



SEE ALSO-
WhatsApp multi-device beta – here’s how it works and how you can get it
WhatsApp’s new privacy policy — here is why you don't have to lose sleep over it