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After a short-stayed country-wide ban, the short-form video sharing app TikTok is back on the Google Play Store and iOS App Store. The popular app was banned on April 3 by the Madras High Court in India, owing to obscene content and child abuse. However, the app-makers promised to implement stricter policies regarding content on the platform and the TikTok ban was subsequently lifted on April 25, contingent to proper content moderation.
The TikTok app can once again be downloaded by both Android and iOS users. The reinstated app comes with new security and performance improvements, which have not really been detailed by the developers on the Play Store and App Store listings. However, the company detailed privacy-related updates in a post on its website.
To keep a check on user’s privacy and equip users with online safety tips, TikTok has launched its second in-app Safety Quiz. The account safety quiz on TikTok is available in India, Europe, and Asia. It features questions around setting up a strong account password, not sharing your account information with anyone, and being aware of phishing, suspicious emails or websites.
Previously, TikTok launched a localised Safety Center in India. It is available in ten regional languages. TikTok also incorporated an Anti-Bullying resource page in the Safety Center. Beyond that, the platform claims that it automatically filters out any comment that contains up to 30 pre-identified keywords by users in English and Hindi. This works in tandem with two new Digital Wellbeing features, Screen Time Management, and Restricted Mode, all aimed at improving the overall user experience on the app.
In the coming weeks, TikTok will get more updates and features. Device Management will allow users to manage their login devices to prevent their accounts from being hacked, and revamped notification tab, notification controls will “make users’ digital lives easier”.
On Android, TikTok has been updated to version 11.1.2, while the iOS version of the app has received version 11.1.0. The app is 81.37MB in size for Android and 185.8MB for iOS. Owned by Beijing-based ByteDance Co and developed by Singapore-based Bytemod Pte Limited, there is also a lighter version of TikTok available for Android. Called TikTok Lite, the app is 21MB in size and is probably meant for Android users with low-end phones.
TikTok is available in 150 global markets via the App Store or Google Play stores.