KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Nepal’s government has decided to lift the ban imposed on the video-sharing app TikTok last November due to concerns about disrupting 'social harmony.' The decision was made during a regular cabinet meeting, with the Information Minister confirming the move.
The initiative to lift restrictions came from the Prime Minister, who emphasized the need for treating all social networking sites equally. This decision follows the recent change in leadership, with the current Prime Minister taking office after the collapse of the previous coalition government.
The ban on TikTok was initially put in place to regulate the use of the platform, citing concerns about its impact on social harmony and the dissemination of indecent materials. The government has now requested that social media companies register in Nepal, establish a liaison office, pay taxes, and comply with local laws and regulations.
There were ongoing communications between the government and TikTok officials leading up to the decision to lift the ban. TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, has faced scrutiny in various countries over data privacy concerns and potential ties to the Chinese government.
Despite these concerns, TikTok has consistently denied sharing user data with the Chinese government and has pledged not to do so if requested. It is worth noting that Nepal had previously banned all pornographic sites in 2018.
