Jurist Nepal bans TikTok nationwide

[Dadparvar]

During a Cabinet meeting held Monday, the Nepalese government banned the social media platform TikTok, according to local newspaper Kantipur. Minister for Communication Rekha Sharma announced the decision by underlining the “negative effects of [the app] on social harmony and goodwill.” She also mentioned that preparations for the implementation of the decision are already underway.

Sharma also stated that the Communications Ministry and Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) have begun working in tandem towards implementing the ban on Monday. NTA Chief Purushottam Khanal informed that internet service providers operating throughout the country have been sent letters asking them to forbid access to TikTok.

The move attracted mixed responses from various stakeholders and opposition leaders across Nepal. Leaders like Nepali Congress central committee member Min Bahadur Bishwokarma concurred with the cabinet’s decision. Others, like Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa, suggested stricter regulation as a better alternative to a total ban.

Pertinently, India had issued an order to ban around 100 Chinese apps including TikTok in June 2020, citing concerns relating to national security. The order read:

The Ministry of Information Technology, invoking it’s power under section 69A of the Information Technology Act read with the relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009 and in view of the emergent nature of threats has decided to block 59 apps ( see Appendix) since in view of information available they are engaged in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.

Several other jurisdictions, like the US, Canada, the EU, New Zealand and Australia, have also either banned or restricted the usage of TikTok.

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