NTA forms four-member committee to implement TikTok ban decision

Published On: November 18, 2023 05:00 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Nov 18: The Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) has formed a technical committee under the leadership of Director Bijay Kumar Rai for the effective implementation of the government's decision to ban Tiktok in the country.

A four-member technical committee was formed under the leadership of Rai at the NTA meeting on Friday. The members of the committee are Sudhir Parajuli, President of the Internet Service Providers Association of Nepal (ISPAN), representative of the Ministry of Communications, Government of Nepal, and Rosa Kiran Basukala of the NTA as member secretary.

Coordinator Bijay Kumar Rai said that the committee will monitor and investigate and submit a report regarding whether or not access to TikTok has been blocked across the country within seven days.

"We are investigating which ISPs have banned Tiktok, which ones are unable to do so or are having difficulties, and we will prepare a report on this within seven days."

Earlier on Friday, the NTA had asked Tiktok to assist in the implementation of the government's decision. The government had decided to ban Tiktok on November 13. Immediately, the NTA wrote a letter to Tiktok informing them of the government's decision.

The Authority sent another letter to TikTok on Friday, asking for help in implementing the government's decision to ban TikTok.

On Friday, 10 petitions were filed at the Supreme Court against the government's decision to ban Tiktok. Legal practitioners and digital rights advocates have demanded that the government's decision be declared unconstitutional and revoked. The Supreme Court administration has kept all the writ petitions together and fixed the date of preliminary hearing on next Monday (November 20).

The Council of Ministers had decided to 'immediately ban the use of TikTok in Nepal as social harmony and social environment are being negatively affected through Tiktok, which is being used as a social network'. The government implemented the decision by opening the government offices concerned even on holidays.