(This article is authored by Alar)

ByteDance, the company who owns the viral short video app TikTok, has fired every Indian employees in shocking turn of events. Staff were advised that their last day of work will be February 28. Following a political crisis with China in 2020, India blocked the app nationwide, citing that to protect the national security. Nearly after three years, now the company has fired all 40 of its Indian employees. Even after the prohibition, TikTok maintained an office in India from which its staff would primarily serve the Brazilian and Dubai markets.

In light of TikTok being blocked in India over security concerns, the company has decided to lay off its entire Indian crew. A source was quoted in the national media outlet as saying that all Indian workers would be let off on February 28. Furthermore, it has been reported that the company has vowed to pay all 40 employees nine months of severance. Staff members were also told that the company's contract with the Indian government could be ended because of the country's strict stance on Chinese applications.

To start off 2019, the 15-second video app was the most downloaded Android app in India. Reports suggest that TikTok is now focusing on its global business solutions in North America The company has expressed appreciation for the impact of the laid-off employees and assured them that they would be supported during this difficult time. According to the company’s spokesperson, the business has decided to shut down its India-based remote sales support hub, which was set up at the end of 2020 to serve as a resource for the company's sales employees across the world and in different regions.

"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. We greatly appreciate these employees and their impact on our company, and will ensure they are supported at this difficult time," TikTok spokesperson said. TikTok announced it had 1 billion active users throughout the world in September 2021, and its popularity has only expanded since then.