Nepal will ban TikTok.

The Nepalese government has announced it will ban TikTok, citing the app's negative impact on social balance.

"Today we made the decision to ban TikTok. The relevant authorities are finalizing the technical issues," Nepal's Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, stated on November 13.

The Nepalese minister said the decision was made because TikTok is frequently used to share content that "disrupts social balance and breaks down family foundations and social relationships."

The TikTok logo is displayed on a phone screen, photographed in August 2022. Photo: Reuters

Gagan Thapa, leader of the Nepali Congress party, part of the ruling coalition, said the government's plan appeared aimed at "suppressing freedom of speech."

"Regulations are needed to prevent people from abusing social media, but banning social media altogether is completely wrong," Thapa posted on X.

The Nepalese government's decision comes days after it required social media platforms operating in the country to set up offices.

TikTok has not yet responded to the ban.

According to marketing services company We Are Social, TikTok is the sixth most used social network in the world . While still behind the long-established trio of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, TikTok has experienced exceptional growth among young people.

Beyond content issues, TikTok is also facing increased scrutiny in many countries due to security concerns. TikTok's owner, the Chinese company ByteDance, has repeatedly denied accusations that it receives direct instructions from Beijing.

Ngoc Anh (According to AFP )

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