KATHMANDU, Aug 22: The government has decided to lift the ban imposed on Tiktok, a popular social networking site.
A cabinet meeting held on Thursday decided to lift the ban on Tiktok with certain conditions.
Tiktok will have to enter into an agreement with the Ministry of Information Technology and Communication in order to implement this policy decision. Minister for Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung said, "It was opened as a matter of policy. The company has to fulfill our conditions to implement the decision.”
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Minister Gurung, who is also the government spokesperson, said every social network should now be listed in the ministry according to Section 3 of the "Social Network Operation Guideline 2080". After that, a point of contract should be specified according to clause 6.
Tiktok's representatives agreed to be listed in Nepal and set the point of contract.
In addition, four more conditions have been set by the government. The conditions set by the government aim to support tourism promotion, digital security and literacy and to make public education based on information technology.
Similarly, filtering and moderation of Nepal's native languages should be ensured on Tiktok.
The government has maintained that language, in addition to abusive words, that spreads social ills and social crime should not be encouraged. Minister Gurung said, "This applies to other networks as well."
The former government led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal had decided to ban TikTok on November 12, 2023 arguing that the social networking site disturbed social harmony in the country. The move was widely criticized as people from all walks of life accused the government of attempting to curtail freedom of expression.
