Pakistan bans TikTok

Pakistan has blocked the Chinese-owned TikTok app after receiving complaints against "immoral and indecent" content on the video-sharing application.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said TikTok failed to fully comply with the instructions for "development of an effective mechanism for proactive moderation of unlawful online content".

PTA added that the step was taken after the authority received a number of complaints from different segments of the society against immoral and indecent content on the video-sharing application.

"In view of a number of complaints from different segments of the society against immoral/indecent content on the video-sharing application TikTok, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has issued instructions for blocking of the application," PTA said in its statement.

The statement further read, “Keeping in view the complaints and nature of the content being consistently posted on TikTok, PTA issued a final notice to the application and gave considerable time to respond and comply with the Authority instructions for the development of an effective mechanism for proactive moderation of unlawful online content.”

“The application failed to fully comply with the instructions, therefore, directions were issued for blocking of TikTok application in the country,” the PTA further said.

PTA has also informed TikTok that it is open for engagement and will review its decision subject to a satisfactory mechanism by TikTok to moderate unlawful content.

The popular Chinese app was banned in India in June this year, while the United States imposed a ban on the app in September.

(Source: India Today)