Popular short video app TikTok, owned by ByteDance, has laid off its entire workforce in India. According to reports, around 40 employees have been let go, the employees have been told that February 28 will be their last working day. Furthermore, reports claim that the company has promised to provide nine months’ severance pay to all 40 employees.
TikTok being banned in India due to national security concerns resulted in the decision to lay off the entire Indian workforce. The platform, which had over 200 million users in India, was banned in 2020 along with 300 other Chinese apps. Despite the Indian government’s efforts to reason, TikTok could not re-enter the Indian market.
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Tiktok was earlier a very popular app in India, people used it for work option and entertainment. However, the app was banned in the country after it was discovered that it stored personal information of Indian users and shared it with Chinese government agencies.
Reports suggest that TikTok is now focusing its global business solutions in North America. The company appreciates the impact of the furloughed employees and assures them that they will be supported during this difficult time.
According to a company spokesperson, the company has decided to shut down its India Remote Sales Support Hub, which was set up to support its global and regional sales teams, at the end of 2020. The company said that the employees are greatly appreciated for their contribution to the company and will be supported during this challenging time.
questions to ask
1. Why was Tiktok banned in India?
Tiktok was banned in India in 2020 over national security concerns.
2. Did Tiktok have any office in India after the ban?
Yes, even after the ban, TikTok had an office in India, with employees mainly working in the Brazilian and Dubai markets. However, the company has now laid off its entire staff in India.