Nepal's Government Implements Immediate Ban on TikTok
The Nepalese government has recently announced a ban on TikTok, a popular social media app. This decision comes as part of the government's efforts to tighten control over all social media platforms by implementing new rules for users.
Banning TikTok: An International Trend
The ban on TikTok in Nepal is just one example of the increasing international pressure being faced by the Chinese-owned app. Many countries, including India, have already taken similar measures, with India banning TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps in 2020 in the interest of the country's sovereignty and integrity. Lawmakers in the US, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, and Taiwan have also expressed concerns regarding national security and have taken steps to restrict access to TikTok.
The Reasons behind the Ban
The Nepalese government justified the ban by stating that TikTok had a damaging effect on the country's society. According to Rekha Sharma, Nepal's Minister for Communications and Information Technology, the content shared on the app disrupted social harmony, family structure, and family relations. The decision to ban TikTok was made immediately, and the relevant authorities are currently addressing the technical issues to enforce the ban.
The Impact on TikTok's Users in Nepal
It remains unclear when TikTok's 2.2 million users in Nepal will lose access to the app. While the ban may not significantly impact the app, considering its over 1 billion users worldwide, it still highlights the mounting global pressure faced by its owner, Bytedance.
Concerns over User Data and National Security
The international concerns surrounding TikTok revolve around the potential access of user data by the Chinese government and its role in the spread of disinformation. Many countries are currently conducting investigations to assess the credibility of this threat. TikTok has denied sharing information with the Chinese government, claiming that it would not do so even if requested. However, Chinese law allows authorities to request access to data held by companies.
Crackdown on Social Media Platforms in Nepal
The ban on TikTok in Nepal follows a series of strict controls on other social media platforms. Social media companies are now required to register with the government, establish an office, and pay taxes in Nepal. Additionally, a 19-point "not-to-do" list has been introduced for users across all platforms, including a ban on hate speech, the spread of misinformation, and terrorism-related content.
Some journalists and activists within the country have expressed concerns that these new restrictions are an attempt by the government to suppress free speech.
TikTok has not yet responded to a request for comment from Business Insider.
—————————————————————————————————————————————
By: pthompson@insider.com (Polly Thompson)
Title: The Ban of TikTok in Nepal: A Move to Preserve Social Harmony and Family Structure
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/nepal-tiktok-ban-disrupts-social-harmony-family-structure-2023-11
Published Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2023 13:52:40 +0000
Related posts:
Gene Munster claims that a TikTok ban is unavoidable, and that it will cause problems for US stocks.
TikTok’s potential buyers
Representative from Nashville District was implicated in deadly school shooting. This congressional photo shows a gun-toting family for Christmas 2021
While users abandon Twitter, fledgling social media platforms are fighting to become the next Twitter. These are the leading social media sites.
Leave a Reply