In a significant reversal, the Nepalese government has decided to lift the ban on popular social media platform TikTok, effective immediately. However, the decision comes with a series of stringent conditions aimed at ensuring the platform’s compliance with national values and security.
The cabinet meeting held on Thursday approved the lifting of the ban, contingent upon TikTok entering into a formal agreement with the Ministry of Information Technology and Communication. Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, who also serves as the government spokesperson, emphasized the importance of this agreement in safeguarding national interests.
As per the new guidelines, TikTok will be required to:
- Establish a local presence: The platform must appoint a representative in Nepal to facilitate communication and cooperation with the government.
- Adhere to national laws: TikTok’s operations must comply with all relevant Nepalese laws and regulations, including those pertaining to content moderation and data privacy.
- Promote national interests: The platform should be used to promote tourism, digital literacy, and public education initiatives.
- Ensure language inclusivity: TikTok must implement measures to support the use of Nepali and other indigenous languages on the platform.
- Moderate harmful content: The platform must have robust content moderation policies in place to prevent the spread of abusive, harmful, or socially disruptive content.
The government’s decision to lift the TikTok ban comes after widespread criticism of the previous administration’s move. Many argued that the ban infringed on freedom of expression and had negative economic consequences. While the government has now reversed this decision, the strict conditions imposed on TikTok demonstrate its commitment to ensuring that social media platforms operate responsibly within the country.
