By Shanker Man Singh
The government of Nepal has banned 2.2 million users of TikTok to protect “social and family harmony”. The sweeping move comes days after authorities issued directives to tighten content regulation on all social media sites. There are always two sides to a coin, and there are always different perspectives on every situation.
While opinions on banning TikTok in Nepal can be varied, here are some common arguments against imposing a nationwide ban on the platform: Freedom of Expression and Speech: Some see a ban on TikTok as a violation of the right to free speech and expression.
They create and share content ranging from entertainment to social and political commentary, and the ban can be seen as limiting this creative and expressive outlet.
Economic Impact: TikTok has a significant presence in Nepal, with many content creators, influencers, and businesses relying on the platform for start-up businesses, small and medium enterprises, marketing, and brand promotion.
A ban could have negative economic consequences, affecting employment opportunities, advertising revenue, and the livelihoods of people who depend on the platform for income.
Censorship Concerns: TikTok can be seen as restrictive censorship, where the government restricts access to the popular platform and its content. Critics argue that it sets a precedent for government control of online space and information sharing.
Efficacy of Prohibition: Some argue that banning TikTok does not effectively address concerns raised by proponents of the ban, such as data protection or privacy issues. Banning may lead users to seek alternative platforms, potentially exposing them to similar risks.
Global Communication and Interaction: TikTok allows users around the world to connect and engage with each other, promoting cross-cultural understanding and communication. Banning the platform may hinder the international exchange of ideas and experiences. Parental Responsibility: Critics argue that parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring safe and appropriate use of platforms like TikTok. Educating users about the potential risks and regulating and guiding them toward responsible online behavior can be more effective than banning them outright. Technology innovation and competition: Banning TikTok could stifle innovation in the tech industry by setting a precedent for banning popular social media platforms. It also limits healthy competition in the market, potentially hindering the development of new and improved platforms. Possible solutions: Users who want to access TikTok can use virtual private networks (VPNs) or other methods to bypass the restriction, making it less effective in achieving its intended goals. Collaboration and creativity: TikTok has become a platform for creative collaboration, allowing users to engage in challenges, duets, and other interactive content. Restrictions can hinder these forms of creative expression and shared experiences. Balancing national security with innovation: While concerns about data privacy and national security are essential, critics argue that there needs to be a balanced approach to addressing these concerns while supporting innovation, technology, and international cooperation.
It is important to note that these arguments represent a range of viewpoints, and some argue that the decision to ban ‘TikTok’ is a complex interplay of legal, technical, economic, and social considerations. I proudly admit that I have never downloaded or watched any TikTok videos. I came across familiar videos, but I couldn’t bring myself to watch such cringe-worthy videos.
I am oblivious to the world of TikTok and its related trends. But all that is just my point of view. Some people enjoy the app and love to express their talent in public. In fact, for many, it can be a chance to feel like a celebrity, and that’s exactly what happens, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Just because it’s not my way doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be someone else’s way.
But then again, due to the very few human extremists that always resulted in great frustration, TikTok was reduced to such a level that there was no genre left in it. It featured everything from child abuse to lewd conversations to animal cruelty, and even more unbelievable that people made TikTok videos.
What was the idea of selfies in the beginning? In a recent Cabinet meeting, the Minister of Communication and Information Technology said that TikTok is hindering our social harmony, family structure, and family relations. The government of Nepal said they had contacted Tiktok several times, but the company refused to address their concerns about the content.
The government issued guidelines outlining prohibited content for social media platforms, including hate speech, sexual exploitation and drug promotion, fake news, terrorism-related messages, and private photos posted without consent.
All social media companies have been ordered to open liaison offices in Nepal so that they can better address public concerns and remove offensive content. Tech giants like Facebook, X, and Instagram, which now have three months to set up offices or appoint representatives in Nepal, are also required to register with the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology—or face a ban like TikTok. The Chinese-owned app, which has grown in global popularity during the pandemic, has faced regulatory hurdles around the world amid governments wary of China’s influence.
India has been banned since 2020 after escalating a long-standing territorial dispute with China. Regulation is necessary to discourage those who abuse social media, but some believe that blocking it in the name of regulation is simply wrong. In October 2020, TikTok users in Armenia reported a loss of app functionality, although it is not confirmed whether this was the result of an intervention by the Armenian government in response to the use of the app by Azerbaijani sources to spread misinformation in 2020. Internet Censorship 2019 ban in India: On 3 April 2019, the Madras High Court, while hearing a PIL, asked the Indian government to ban the app, saying it “encourages pornography” and shows “inappropriate content”. The court also noted that minors who use the app are at risk of being targeted by sex predators. The court asked the broadcast media not to broadcast any of those videos through the app.
A TikTok spokesperson said they were following local laws and were awaiting a court order before taking action. On 17 April, both Google and Apple removed TikTok from Google Play and the App Store. As the court declined to reconsider the ban, the company said it had removed more than 6 million videos that violated its content policies and guidelines.
Iranians cannot access TikTok due to both Iran TikTok regulations and Iranian censorship. Jordan on December 17, 2022, announced a temporary ban against TikTok, following the death of a police officer in clashes with protesters.
“What is your opinion about the ban on TikTok?” On the one hand, it is within the reach of governments. Freedom of expression, freedom of information. On the other hand, Tiktok has shown its negative side TikTok has gathered a lot of users in a short period. Reasons to Ban – Addiction – TikTok is highly addictive.
Once you start using it, it’s very hard to quit. Waste of time – it’s just a waste of time and nothing else. It makes people leave their important work and make TikTok videos. Unproductive – it doesn’t seem to contribute much to our important work.
This is very unproductive. Vulgar – some videos on TikTok are very vulgar and inappropriate for children. There may be more reasons than those mentioned above. Some earnestly plead to use their time productively. Time once wasted cannot be returned. Time is more valuable than money because once wasted it cannot be returned.
Several countries, notably Ireland and Italy, have launched investigations into whether the social networking site poses a threat to national security. Pakistan, Bangladesh, and countries in the Middle East are concerned about TikTok content and some form of privacy invasion.
As a result, the creators of the app make every effort to keep the program clean and family-friendly. TikTok is still banned in India because the Indian government was concerned about security and banned the site along with 59 other Chinese apps. Also, some people suggest that TikTok may be deleted in 2023/4 but that is not true the app may even gain more popularity as time goes by.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect People’s Review’s editorial stance.
Login to add a comment