TikTok, the popular short video app that was banned in India in 2020, has opted to close its office in the nation. All 40 employees have also received pink slips from the company. TikTok, the country’s most downloaded Android app, was banned for national security reasons. It is now facing the same destiny in the United States.
TikTok has been attempting to gain favor with the Indian government since it was outlawed. There were rumors last year that the corporation was looking to re-enter India with a local partner. The decision to close its operations in the country demonstrates the app’s inability to negotiate an agreement with the Indian authorities.
Employees will get 9 months of severance pay
TikTok’s India headquarters employees were told of the company’s plan to fire them over the phone earlier this week. According to The Economic Times, they will leave the company on February 28. Much earlier, the team was given feelers to hunt for other positions. Employees who are laid off will receive nine months of severance pay.
Indian office looked after operations in Brazil and Dubai
What have TikTok staff done since the app was banned in India? The India office served as a hub for remote sales assistance. The team in India was primarily responsible for the company’s activities in Brazil and Dubai. Due to the government’s strong position, the corporation hinted to staff that its activities in India might not be renewed.
We will support the employees during this difficult time: TikTok
“We have taken the decision to close our India remote sales support hub, which was put in place at the end of 2020 to provide support to our global and regional sales teams,” a TikTok spokesperson said.
There are calls in the United States to outlaw TikTok
TikTok’s Chinese origins contributed to its collapse in India. The app is now in a similar scenario in the United States. The app’s detractors have advocated for a statewide ban in the United States. Concerns are being expressed across the political spectrum that the Chinese government may utilize the app to obtain the data of US residents.