Recently, a WhatsApp and SMS has been making rounds to several smartphone users claiming that users can now again use TikTok in India. According to a report by Gadgets Now, fraudsters are using SMS phishing attacks for luring the users to download the app's Indian version known as TikTok Pro in India.
The report mentioned that the scammers are sending a message to people which reads - "Enjoy Tiktok Videos and also make Create Videos again. Now TikTok is only Available in (TikTok pro) So Download from below." This message is followed by a link to download the TikTok Pro APK file.
Once the user click the given link, he/she will be able to download the app that has icon just like TikTok. After the app is download, it asks for permission to access camera, gallery, and other private data on your phone. However, despite allowing the access, the app does not function.
This revealed that the link was a total scam ad potential threat to user's private information. Moreover, it is to be noted that the face app is not available on Google Play Store, so the question whether the app is verified or not is bound to arise.
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The app ban in India has come as a digital strike to China amid the India-China strained relationship after the death of 20 Indian soldiers in the Galwan Valley clash with Chinese PLA troops in eastern Ladakh. The central government has put a ban on as many as 59 apps - mostly Chinese and termed their usage ‘prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order’.
Of the banned apps, TikTok commands the maximum user base with more than 200 million users in India, according to the business daily Mint. The app has surpassed two billion downloads in April and gained a huge market in India, as per data analytics firm Sensor Tower data. Around 30 per cent of downloads came from India.