Nepal, aiming to restore social harmony, declared on Monday the ban of TikTok due to reported misuse and a rising demand for control. According to local media reports, over the past four years, the country has recorded more than 1,600 cybercrime cases linked to the platform. The decision was disclosed by the Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, following a cabinet meeting. Efforts are underway to technically shut down the app.

Purushottam Khanal, the Chair of Nepal Telecom Authority, revealed that internet service providers have been instructed to close TikTok. Some have already complied, and others are expected to follow suit. However, opposition leaders criticize the ban, expressing concerns about its perceived lack of effectiveness, maturity, and responsibility.

Former foreign minister and senior Communist Party leader Pradeep Gyawali emphasized the necessity for regulation rather than outright restrictions, noting that unwanted materials exist on various social media platforms. Gyawali stated, "There are many unwanted materials in other social media also. What must be done is to regulate and not restrict them."

This move aligns with a global trend as numerous countries have either partially or completely banned TikTok, often citing security concerns. India, Nepal’s immediate neighbor, banned TikTok and other Chinese-developed apps in June 2020, citing potential threats to national security. Pakistan has temporarily banned TikTok on multiple occasions since October 2020, citing concerns about immoral content promotion.

Source: adapted from an article by Maya Robertson, Author of Archives for Mobile Marketing Reads