Keep a close watch on TikTok, PMO tells IT Ministry after complaints

NEW DELHI: The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has asked the ministry of electronics and IT (MeitY) to closely monitor the functioning of popular Chinese app TikTok in the wake of complaints in India and controversies across the globe, people familiar with the matter said.

PMO’s direction to MeitY earlier this week came after the nodal ministry had said the app was in compliance with all requirements, including those on traceability of messages proposed in the yet-tobe-notified intermediary guidelines, the people said.

MeitY is also believed to have sent TikTok’s detailed explanation to the PMO regarding safety of user data, the company’s adherence with the laws of the land, the removal of 6 million objectionable videos from Indian users and plans to invest $1 billion in the country.