Last Updated on February 12, 2024
TikTok has requested the government of Nepal to reverse the ban on the app. The Chinese social media giant officially wrote a letter, addressed to the communication minister Rekha Sharma, to revoke the ban. In the letter, the company expressed its commitment to adopt strict policies to meet the government’s desire for a “socially cohesive” digital media.
On November 13 (Kartik 27), the Nepal government banned TikTok citing social damage, and had the Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) implement it effectively. To strengthen the ban in full effect, the regulator coordinated with Nepal Telecom, Ncell, and internet service providers (ISPs) and disabled user access to both TikTok web and mobile apps. In response, the social media company had expressed its desire to establish talks with the government to rescind on the ban. On previous occasions, it reflected on what it has been doing to keep its socially acceptable. Now, the company has formally reached out to the government.
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TikTok says it will take steps for content filtering and moderation
In its letter, TikTok has asked the government to repeal the ban and also said that it is ready to comply with all the regulations of the government. Essentially, the social network company agreed to take further stringent actions to nullify anti-social content. Additionally, it also mentioned keeping a contact person to report any “undesirable” content on the video-sharing platform. Not just that, it’s also ready to employ a Nepali person for content filtering and moderation.
TikTok is ready to keep a contact person and adopt stricter actions for content filtering and moderation in its quest to revive the app in Nepal
The government had disabled TikTok access in Nepal reasoning that it was harming social harmony and family relationships. It’s said that the growing number of explicit videos and those arousing communal/religious conflict were the reasons for the government’s act on the app. But despite the ban, many users continued to access the app through VPN and DNS apps until stricter steps by the regulator.
Find out: How does Tiktok work through VPN and DNS, Is it safe?
TikTok pledges to conform with the law, requests the government to revoke the ban
“As a global digital platform, ensuring users and the platform’s security is our primary concern. Therefore, we have established community guidelines,” TikTok said in its letter to MoCIT. To ensure that its community guidelines are followed, the company has 40 thousand employees at work. It further adds that it uses advanced technology to keep a check on the content and its moderation. TikTok also said that its employees take into consideration the cultural traits and laws of the country in respective countries.
After the government reinstates TikTok, the company says that it will run internet security and digital literacy campaigns in Nepal. It also wrote that it will digitalize education material to improve secondary school and college students’ results.
The government banned TikTok in Nepal soon after announcing its strict monitoring of the content. The government has long sought to regulate social media and is skeptical about their operation in Nepal in the absence of their registration. It has also approved social media guidelines which consts a set of social media rules to follow which dictates things one can’t do on social networks. The TikTok ban has been the government’s boldest and most effective statement yet.
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Would you wish that the government reverse the ban on TikTok and revive the app in Nepal or want it to continue? The app’s closure has impacted many individuals as well as businesses who relied on it for passing time and promotions. Do offer your take in our comment section below.
