The Nepal Cabinet, on Monday, November 13, opted to prohibit the Chinese-owned social app TikTok, alleging "its negative effects on social harmony". According to Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, the decision will be enforced through the Ministry of Communication and IT.
The decision came after a meeting between the Cyber Bureau of the Nepal Police, Ministry of Home Affairs, and TikTok representatives.
However, The Kathmandu Post reported that the enforcing of the ban has not been decided yet.
Nepal decides to ban TikTok
— The Kathmandu Post (@kathmandupost) November 13, 2023
A Cabinet meeting on Monday took the decision to ban the app.https://t.co/WS46AeHuus
Gagan Thapa, General Secretary of the Nepali Congress and part of the ruling coalition voiced dissent, suggesting that instead of a ban, the government should focus on regulation, reported PTI.
In South Asia alone, TikTok has been banned by India, Afghanistan and Pakistan (four times). Many countries, including those in the West, have asked government officials to not install the app on their devices, reported the Associated Press.
The Nepalese government's decision to ban TikTok coincides with a broader directive to regulate social media platforms. The move aims to prevent misuse and defamation, as a Home Ministry's report indicated the misuse of TikTok for defaming politicians.