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Hate videos push Nepal to ban TikTok

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DailyBite
DailyBiteNov 14, 2023 | 14:27

Hate videos push Nepal to ban TikTok

Nepal banned Tiktok citing its adverse impact on social harmony. Photo: Unsplash

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.

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However, The Kathmandu Post reported that the enforcing of the ban has not been decided yet.

Why though?

  • The government expressed reservations about TikTok, stating that the platform has contributed to a rise in hate speech.
  • The Government of Nepal also alleged that the app has an encouraging tendency in the promotion of such content.
  • The decision follows a surge in cybercrime cases, with 1,647 incidents reported over the past four years on the video-sharing app, KP reported.
  • The move aligns with a broader strategy, as a recent Cabinet meeting mandated social media giants, including Facebook, X, TikTok, and YouTube, to establish liaison offices in Nepal.
  • An earlier mandate made it necessary for social media companies to have an office and an officer in Kathmandu.

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.

"The government’s decision should be rectified as it violates freedom of expression and individual freedom."
- Gagan Thapa

Global scrutiny on TikTok

  • TikTok, with approximately a billion monthly users, faces increasing challenges worldwide, most being associated with data privacy issues.
  • The ban adds to the growing list of countries scrutinising TikTok, with concerns raised in India, the US, the European Union, and the UK, where governments have previously banned the application over security apprehensions.
  • TikTok has faced allegations of passing data to the Chinese government, claims rejected by its parent company, ByteDance.
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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.

Last updated: November 14, 2023 | 14:27
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