Pakistan bans TikTok over failure to filter out ‘immoral and indecent’ content
- The country’s telecommunication authority said it would review its ban, subject to a satisfactory mechanism by TikTok to moderate unlawful content
- The ByteDance-owned app’s quick rise has caught it in a firestorm, with a number of countries raising security concerns over its links to China
The ban comes in view of “complaints from different segments of the society against immoral and indecent content on the video sharing application”, said the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
The PTA said it would review its ban, subject to a satisfactory mechanism by TikTok to moderate unlawful content.
01:41
Pakistan bans TikTok over ‘immoral and indecent’ videos
TikTok said it was “committed to following the law in markets where the app is offered”.
“We have been in regular communication with the PTA and continue to work with them. We are hopeful to reach a conclusion that helps us continue to serve the country’s vibrant and creative online community,” it said.
TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, has become hugely popular in a short period of time, by encouraging young users to post brief videos. Its quick rise has caught it in a firestorm, with a number of countries raising security and privacy concerns over its links to China.
01:41
India’s TikTok ban closes lucrative window to the world for many rural women
TikTok has long denied that its links to China pose a security concern in other countries.
“We have been asking them repeatedly to put in place an effective mechanism for blocking immoral and indecent content,” one of the top officials directly involved in the decision said. “The platform, however, hasn’t been able to fully satisfy Pakistani authorities.”
Southeast Asia eyes US call for TikTok, WeChat bans with caution
The decision was taken after Prime Minister Imran Khan took a keen interest in the issue, said a second Pakistani official, adding that Khan has directed the telecoms authorities to make all efforts to block vulgar content.
Usama Khilji, director of Bolo Bhi, a Pakistani group advocating for the rights of internet users, said the decision undermined the government’s dreams of a digital Pakistan.
“The government blocking an entertainment app that is used by millions of people, and is a source of income for thousands of content creators, especially those coming from smaller towns and villages, is a travesty to democratic norms and fundamental rights as guaranteed by the constitution,” said Khilji.