Nepal Lifts TikTok Ban: New Government Reverses Decision
Kathmandu, Nepal – The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has instructed all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to lift the ban on TikTok, a popular Chinese video-sharing app. This decision follows a directive from the Council of Ministers on August 22, reversing the ban that was enforced in November 2023 under the government of former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
The NTA confirmed the lifting of restrictions in a statement issued on Friday. The notice read, “As per the government’s decision, made during the Cabinet meeting on August 22, to lift the ban on TikTok, the Nepal Telecommunications Authority has issued directives to all relevant internet and mobile service providers to remove the restriction until further notice.” This directive is authorized under Section 15 of the Telecommunications Act, 1997.
The original ban was imposed by Dahal’s administration due to complaints about the misuse of the platform. The government had introduced the “Directives on the Operation of Social Networking 2024,” which included 19 specific prohibitions on platforms like Facebook, X, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. These guidelines aimed to regulate content and address user complaints about objectionable material, as well as the absence of official representatives from social media companies in Nepal.
The ban faced significant backlash from users and legal experts, who viewed it as a violation of freedom of expression. Fourteen writ petitions were filed in Nepal’s Supreme Court, challenging the government’s decision and seeking an interim order to lift the restriction. Although the court did not issue an immediate stay order, the hearing on the petitions is ongoing.
The reversal of the ban came after KP Sharma Oli became Prime Minister, forming a new alliance between his Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPN-UML) and the Nepali Congress. Oli’s government decided to lift the ban on August 22, citing ByteDance’s willingness to comply with Nepalese regulations. ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, has been given a three-month deadline to meet specific terms set by Nepali authorities. The company has agreed to adhere to local rules, allowing the app, which has around two million users in Nepal, to resume operations.
This move is seen as a significant development in balancing social media regulation and freedom of expression in Nepal. Despite the ban’s reversal, the Supreme Court is still set to hear the petitions filed against the restriction. The court’s final ruling will be closely watched as it could set a precedent for how social media platforms are governed in Nepal.
Dahal’s government had defended the original ban by arguing that TikTok was causing disruptions to societal harmony. The Supreme Court’s decision on the case is still pending.
Doubts Revealed
TikTok -: TikTok is a popular app where people can make and share short videos. It is used by many people around the world to create fun and entertaining content.
Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) -: The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) is a government organization in Nepal that manages and regulates all things related to telephones and the internet in the country.
Council of Ministers -: The Council of Ministers is a group of top government officials in Nepal who make important decisions for the country. They work together to create and change laws and policies.
Prime Minister -: The Prime Minister is the leader of the government in Nepal. They are responsible for running the country and making important decisions.
Pushpa Kamal Dahal -: Pushpa Kamal Dahal is a politician in Nepal who was the Prime Minister when the TikTok ban was first put in place.
KP Sharma Oli -: KP Sharma Oli is another politician in Nepal who became the Prime Minister after Pushpa Kamal Dahal. He decided to lift the ban on TikTok.
ByteDance -: ByteDance is the company that created TikTok. They are responsible for making sure the app follows the rules in different countries.
Supreme Court -: The Supreme Court is the highest court in Nepal. It makes the final decisions on important legal matters and can change or uphold laws.
social media governance -: Social media governance refers to the rules and policies that control how social media platforms like TikTok operate in a country. It ensures that these platforms follow local laws and regulations.
