Nepal Government Bans TikTok: A Debate on Social Harmony and Free Speech

[{"selector":"#anim-a5512924-2ae7-4df7-8247-9e2d0a611571","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cd8ace33-a423-4993-8014-48a59e3c8490","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Nepal Government Bans TikTok: A Debate on Social Harmony and Free Speech

[{"selector":"#anim-59aa8075-f372-4784-9f4e-a986a39d14a6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c2154235-7572-4852-81fb-a9043886fd06","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The Decision – Nepal government bans TikTok nationwide. – Ban motivated by concerns over "social harmony" and societal impact. – Decision made by the Cabinet and supported by both ruling and opposition parties.

[{"selector":"#anim-7e7fc257-4fbe-473e-be52-0920fcadb0cb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-960294fd-6b30-4582-8846-692824b96878","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Immediate Implementation – Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) issues notice to block TikTok. – Directive sent to all internet service providers in the country. – Ban implemented a day after the Cabinet's decision.

[{"selector":"#anim-1ed5e108-1ca7-495f-83e2-18de574deb78","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8226b1d6-caf2-421c-982f-f00d6cc2fb2d","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Opposition and Defense – Some government officials favor regulation over a ban. – Prime Minister Dahal and Minister Sharma defend the decision, citing political consensus. – TikTok's response: Email to NTA expressing concerns and willingness to discuss.

[{"selector":"#anim-6e5e0743-6256-4c38-af17-8366b517763e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d925baac-ac16-49a8-8693-8c11941ed801","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] TikTok's Response – TikTok headquarters surprised by the abrupt decision. – Emphasizes platform's positive community impact in Nepal. – Raises concerns about the economic impact on Nepali content creators and businesses.

[{"selector":"#anim-87aafad9-add4-4240-8e22-469a34936f7f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b88426dc-7a3f-4d87-8761-daac17031296","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] User Safety and Tax Compliance – TikTok emphasizes commitment to user safety and community guidelines. – Mentions registration as a digital service taxpayer in Nepal since August 2023. – TikTok team's visit to Kathmandu for talks on content regulation.

[{"selector":"#anim-c1261cee-a23f-41bc-a785-bde909d658d7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7a04f402-7627-4f4a-83f4-97799ce8977e","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Freedom of Speech Concerns – Free speech advocates and organizations criticize the ban. – Ban seen as a violation of constitutional and international human rights laws. – Divided opinions among the public and within the ruling party on the ban's necessity.