The Nepal government, led by Minister of Information and Communications Rekha Sharma, has officially declared a ban on the social media app TikTok. While the complete technical enforcement may take some time, the decision, made during a recent cabinet meeting, comes in response to concerns that TikTok content has led to societal disruptions and break-ups. In the past 4 years and 3 months, the Nepal Police’s cyber bureau recorded 1648 cases of cybercrime, with a significant number linked to TikTok content.
This move makes Nepal the latest country to ban TikTok, joining over 50 others that have already implemented restrictions on the Chinese social media platform. The decision aligns with the recent introduction of the ‘Directives on the Operation of Social Networking 2023,’ which mandates that social media platforms operating in Nepal establish offices in the country. Companies like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and YouTube are required to set up an office or appoint a focal person within three months, failing which they may face shutdowns.
This directive also outlines a 19-point list of prohibited activities for users on platforms like Facebook, X, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. Australia, Belgium, Canada, Afghanistan, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, and Norway have previously imposed partial or complete bans on TikTok due to security concerns. The ban in Nepal follows similar actions, emphasizing the global scrutiny of the platform’s impact on societal harmony and security.