Nepal Lifts TikTok Ban After Suspension Over "Social Harmony" Concerns

Photo : Reuters

Kathmandu: Nepal has lifted its ban on TikTok, which had been in place for nine months due to concerns about "disturbing social harmony," according to Communications and Information Technology Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung. This decision comes after TikTok's South Asia division assured compliance with Nepal's regulations and requested the ban's removal.

The suspension of TikTok began last November, shortly after Nepal introduced a new directive requiring social media platforms to establish a local presence. The ban also followed an anti-government protest led by a prominent TikTok user. The suspension drew criticism from free speech advocates and content creators, many of whom relied on the platform for their livelihoods. TikTok's absence had significantly impacted these creators, who saw their income sources dry up and were forced to shift to other platforms like Instagram and Facebook, which lacked the same reach.

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The news of the ban's removal has been met with relief and enthusiasm from affected users. Anjana Aryal, a former homemaker who transitioned to entrepreneurship through TikTok by sharing recipes, expressed joy over the decision, noting the positive impact the platform had on her career. Similarly, Dinesh Tripathi, an advocate who challenged the ban in court, hailed the decision as a victory for free speech, emphasizing its importance in a democratic society.

TikTok, owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, remains one of the most popular social media platforms globally but has faced various restrictions due to data privacy concerns and its potential impact on youth. The platform is currently contending with legal challenges in the United States over data collection practices and a potential nationwide ban if ByteDance does not divest the app.

The reinstatement of TikTok in Nepal marks a significant shift, allowing local content creators to resume their activities and reaffirming the platform's role in digital communication and expression