The Nepalese government recently took a radical decision to ban the Chinese app TikTok, arguing the preservation of ” social harmony “of the country. This action is part of a series of measures adopted by several nations to limit access to this platform, already banned in several states, including India and some American states. The Minister of Communications and Technologies of the information, Rekha Sharmamotivated this ban by pointing out the content considered harmful distributed on the social network.
The minister emphasized that TikTok was accused of spreading malicious content that harmed the social balance of Nepal. The announcement of this ban, with immediate effect, surprised many users and was seen as an attempt to restore a form of social stability threatened by this type of digital platform. However, the lack of details about the specific videos responsible for this decision raises questions about the exact criteria that led to this radical move.
However, this initiative by the Nepalese government did not fail to arouse criticism, even within the ruling coalition. A senior official of the Nepali Congress, a party involved in this government, strongly denounced this ban, considering it an attack on freedom of expression. This internal disagreement raises questions about the legitimacy and relevance of this controversial decision.
TikTok, a controversial Chinese social network, is already subject to bans in several countries, including India and some US states such as Montana. Fears of Chinese espionage through this app have also prompted restrictive measures in regions such as the United States and Europe. This ban comes in an international context where concerns related to the security and confidentiality of user data have become paramount.
While this decision can be seen as an attack on individual freedom, it is crucial to recognize that preserving social harmony and protecting family structures and interpersonal relationships remain important concerns for many countries, including Nepal. TikTok, very popular among young people with around 15 million monthly active users in France, continues to generate debate and controversy about its influence on society and the potential risks it represents for the latter.
