KATHMANDU, Sept 7: The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has directed all Internet Service Providers (ISP) to lift the ban on TikTok on Friday following the government’s decision in this regard on August 22. The government has set certain conditions for allowing the popular social media platform to operate in Nepal. 

A notice made available to the public on the authority’s website on Friday directed all the ISPs and Mobile Service Providers(MSP) to lift the ban on TikTok in line with section 15 of the Telecommunications Act 2053. Section 15 of the act grants the NTA the power to issue orders and directives and requires the licensees to adhere to the directives. 

Representatives of the social media company’s parent company ByteDance arrived in Nepal last week to discuss the lifting of the ban. The representatives held a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Information Technology and Communication on Wednesday, entering into an agreement with the ministry to adhere to the government’s four conditions to lift the ban. 

The conditions set by the government aim to support tourism promotion, digital security and literacy and to make advancements in public education based on information technology. The government also requires the social network to filter and moderate Nepal's native languages. The government has maintained that language, in addition to abusive words, that spreads social ills and social crime should not be encouraged. 

A cabinet meeting on August 22 decided to lift the ban on TikTok with four conditions for TikTok’s parent company. A day later, TikTok welcomed the government’s decision to lift the ban on the app. Issuing a press release, TikTok expressed excitement over the government's decision to remove the ban, committing to continue being a platform for the free expression and creativity of Nepali people. However, in absence of an agreement between the parent company and Nepal government, the decision had not been implemented by the NTA.

Every social network is required to be listed in the ministry according to Section 3 of the "Social Network Operation Guideline 2080". After that, a point of contact between the government and the social media needs to be specified according to clause 6 of the guideline.

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.

 
• NTA
 
• ISPs