Tiktok to shut down India business
New Delhi, Jan 27: Chinese social media firm Bytedance, which owns Tiktok and Helo apps, has announced the closure of its India business following continued restrictions on its services in the country.
Tiktok's global interim head Vanessa Pappas and vice president for global business solutions Blake Chandlee in a joint email to employees have communicated the decision of the company that it is reducing team size and the decision will impact all employees in India.
The executives expressed uncertainty on the company's comeback to India but expressed hope to do so in times to come.
"While we don't know when we will make a comeback in India, we are confident in our resilience, and desire to do so in times to come," the email said.
According to a source at Bytedance, the company held a town hall on Wednesday where it communicated about the closure of India business.
When contacted Tiktok spokesperson said the company has worked steadfastly to comply with the government of India order issued on June 29, 2020 and continually strives to make its apps comply with local laws and regulations.
"It is therefore disappointing that in the ensuing seven months, despite our efforts we have not been given a clear direction on how and when our apps could be reinstated. It is deeply regretful that after supporting our over 2,000 employees in India for more than half a year, we have no choice but to scale back the size of our workforce.
"We look forward to receiving the opportunity to relaunch TikTok and support the hundreds of millions of users, artists, story-tellers, educators and performers in India," the spokesperson said.
The government had blocked Tiktok and Helo along with 59 apps in June and has further communicated to the companies that the order to block them will be continued.
"We've cut expenses, while still paying benefits. However, we simply cannot responsibly stay fully staffed while our apps remain un-operational. We are fully aware of the impact that this decision has for all of our employees in India, and we empathize with our team," the e-mail said.
Bytedance executives said that the decision to ban its app came despite the company complying with local laws and regulations.
"We have done our best since then to address their (Indian government's) concerns. We regret that this was the result of a lack of clear direction from the government of India on how and when our apps could be reinstated.
"Despite our efforts to communicate with them, especially since it impacts the careers and livelihoods of so many Indians, today we are forced to reduce the size of our team," the email said.
The executives said that they will share severance and benefits details.
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CM Sai says Chhattisgarh now 'free' of Naxalism, hails March 31 as historic day for state
Raipur (PTI): Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday asserted Chhattisgarh was now "free" of Naxalism and described March 31, the deadline set by the Centre to eradicate Maoism, as a "historic" day for the state, which was once a hotbed of the violent movement.
Targeting the Opposition Congress, Sai alleged that during the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', party leader Rahul Gandhi had shared the stage with Naxalites at several locations.
Speaking on sidelines of a programme in Raipur, the CM thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for providing decisive leadership in the fight against Left-wing extremism (LWE) and said the insurgency had long been a major obstacle to development.
"Today marks a truly historic day for Chhattisgarh as Naxalism is being eliminated from the state. On behalf of the 30 million people of Chhattisgarh, we extend our deepest gratitude to Prime Minister Modi ji and Home Minister Amit Shah ji," he said.
In 2024, the Centre set a deadline of March 31, 2026, to completely eliminate Naxal violence from the country.
The vast Bastar region, once an epicentre of Naxal violence, remained largely untouched by development for 40 years, but it can now progress rapidly, Sai maintained.
Asked about Shah's statement in the Lok Sabha on Monday that when Rahul Gandhi undertook his march, many Leftists joined it, Sai said, "during the 'Desh Jodo Yatra' undertaken by the Congress MP, he met Naxalites at numerous locations.
At several places, Naxalites even shared the stage with him (Gandhi), the BJP leader alleged.
"When notorious Naxal leader Madvi Hidma, responsible for killing hundreds of people, including our security personnel, was neutralised (in late 2025), people chanted slogans that 'many more Hidmas will emerge'. Gandhi even posted them (slogans) on social media, which shows his intent," the CM stated.
When pointed out that former CM Bhupesh Baghel used to claim that evidence regarding the deadly Jhiram Ghati attack by Maoists was in his "pocket", Sai said, "When the Congress was in power, it failed to act despite claiming to have enough proof."
Even after being in power for five years (2018-23), they could neither investigate the Jhiram Ghati case nor produce the so-called proof, the CM opined.
The Maoist attack on May 25, 2013, targeted a Congress convoy during the party's 'Parivartan Rally' ahead of assembly elections, killing 32 people, including then Chhattisgarh Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel, former Leader of Opposition Mahendra Karma, and ex-Union minister V C Shukla.
In a series of posts on 'X', Sai spoke about the end of Naxalism in the BJP-ruled state.
"A Fear-Free Bastar, A Naxal-Free Chhattisgarh. Where once the echoes of gunfire resounded, today flows a new current of development, trust, and good governance. Emerging from the shadow of fear, Bastar is now marching forward with unwavering resolve on the path of self-confidence and progress," he noted.
He credited effective policies of the BJP-led governments in Chhattisgarh and at the Centre for the turnaround in Bastar, which was once associated with Naxal violence.
"This transformation is the fruit of our 'Double Engine' governments' steadfast resolve, effective policies, and unwavering trust of people. A place where peace has triumphed over fear and security has inspired confidence. Prosperity is steering Bastar's bright future toward new heights," Sai noted.
A new chapter of peace, development, and trust has started in Chhattisgarh, especially in Bastar, the CM declared.
"Today, every village shines with light, every path leads to development, and every face bears not fear, but a smile. The sunrise of March 31, 2026, stands witness to Bastar's transformation - from a region once defined by fear to one embracing a hopeful and bright future. A New Bastar, A New Chhattisgarh, a new chapter of peace, development, and trust," he asserted.
