ByteDance, known for its popular app TikTok, is pulling the plug on its music streaming service, Resso, in India by the end of January. This move marks the Chinese tech giant’s latest withdrawal from the second-largest internet market in the world.
What Happened? Sources informed Moneycontrol that the decision followed the Indian government’s order, leading to Resso’s removal from Google Play and the Apple App Store in mid-December 2023.
As of now, Resso remains operational, allowing music streaming on both its mobile app and desktop website. However, subscription purchases are no longer possible on either platform. A ByteDance spokesperson confirmed the closure to the publication, citing challenging local market conditions and announcing a refund for remaining subscription fees.
Launched in March 2020 in India, Indonesia, and Brazil, Resso offered a mix of free and subscription-based music streaming. The premium service included features like ad-free listening, high-quality audio, offline song downloads, and unlimited skips. In May 2023, Resso transitioned to a premium-only model, intending to enhance user experience and support artists and rights holders.
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Choppy waters from the start? ByteDance’s journey in India has been fraught with challenges, with several of its apps, including TikTok, Helo, and CapCut, banned by the Indian government due to national security concerns.
Despite escaping the ban, Resso emerged as a top-grossing app in the music and audio category on the Play Store in India. The app has seen over 250 million installs since its launch, with India being its largest market.
However, Resso’s closure follows ByteDance’s earlier decision to shut down the service in Indonesia and Brazil, where it has since launched TikTok Music. Sources reveal that ByteDance does not plan to introduce TikTok Music in India, likely due to regulatory hurdles. In the competitive Indian market, Resso faced stiff competition from both domestic and international players.
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