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Pakistan Blocks TikTok, Citing ‘Immoral’ Content | Voice of America

Pakistan Blocks TikTok, Citing ‘Immoral’ Content | Voice of America

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has blocked online short-video sharing platform TikTok on the grounds of “immoral/indecent” content for viewing in the majority-Muslim nation.

The state regulator said Friday that it had repeatedly instructed the platform to tighten its content monitoring to block access to the “unlawful” material.

“However, the application failed to fully comply with the instructions, therefore, directions were issued for blocking of TikTok application in the country,” said the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, PTA.

The regulator defended the decision, saying the PTA, in a formal warning, had given “considerable time” to the online platform to respond and comply with the instructions.

FILE - In this July 21, 2020 file photo, a man opens social media app 'TikTok' on his cell phone, in Islamabad, Pakistan…


FILE – A man opens social media app TikTok on his cellphone, in Islamabad, Pakistan, July 21, 2020.

“TikTok has been informed that the authority is open for engagement and will review its decision subject to a satisfactory mechanism by TikTok to moderate unlawful content,” according to the PTA.

There was no immediate reaction from the popular online platform to the blocking of its service by Pakistani authorities.

Amnesty International slammed the ban on TikTok, saying that in the name of a campaign against vulgarity, people are being denied the right to express themselves online.

“The #TikTokBan comes against a backdrop where voices are muted on television, columns vanish from newspapers, websites are blocked and television ads banned,” Amnesty said in a statement posted on Twitter.

TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, is also under pressure globally due to security and privacy concerns.

Neighboring India has already blocked access to the social media outlet, along with dozens of other apps developed by Chinese companies, citing cybersecurity concerns.

TikTok is also under scrutiny in other countries, including the United States, the biggest market by revenue for the company.

Dating apps ban

Last month, Pakistan blocked access to five dating apps for

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Pakistan Blocks Chinese-owned TikTok For Failing to Filter Out ‘Immoral, Indecent’ Content

Pakistan Blocks Chinese-owned TikTok For Failing to Filter Out ‘Immoral, Indecent’ Content

Pakistan on Friday announced to block the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok after receiving complaints against “immoral and indecent” content on the video-sharing application. Also Read – Remember Pakistan’s Viral Chaiwala? He is Now Running His Own Cafe in Islamabad | Watch

TikTok failed to fully comply with the instructions for “development of an effective mechanism for proactive moderation of unlawful online content”, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said. Also Read – After Pak’s Nod to Open Kartarpur Corridor, India Says Yet to Take Decision on Reopening on Its Side

PTA added that the step was taken after the authority received a number of complaints from different segments of the society against immoral and indecent content on the video-sharing application. Also Read – Absolutely Horrific! Chinese Vlogger Dies After Being Set on Fire by Ex-Husband During Live Stream, Sparks Outrage

“In view of a number of complaints from different segments of the society against immoral/indecent content on the video-sharing application TikTok, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has issued instructions for blocking of the application,” PTA said in its statement.

“Keeping in view the complaints and nature of the content being consistently posted on TikTok, PTA issued a final notice to the application and gave considerable time to respond and comply with the Authority instructions for the development of an effective mechanism for proactive moderation of unlawful online content,” the statement further read.

“The application failed to fully comply with the instructions, therefore, directions were issued for blocking of TikTok application in the country,” the PTA further said.

PTA has also informed TikTok that it is open for engagement

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Pakistan blocks TikTok for failing to filter out ‘immoral’ content

Pakistan blocks TikTok for failing to filter out ‘immoral’ content

Pakistan on Friday decided to block social media App TikTok for failing to filter out “immoral” content.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority blocked the Chinese app TikTok “in view of a number of complaints from different segments of the society against immoral/indecent content on the video-sharing platform”.

“TikTok has been informed that the authority is open for engagement and will review its decision subject to a satisfactory mechanism by TikTok to moderate unlawful content,” said PTA.

The company failed to fully comply with instructions for development of an effective mechanism for proactive moderation of unlawful online content, reported Pakistan’s Geo News on Friday.

In July, Pakistan’s telecommunications regulator issued a “final warning” to the short-form video app over explicit content posted on the platform.

TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, has been caught in a firestorm globally due to security and privacy concerns. It has already been blocked in India and it faces scrutiny in countries from Australia to the United States.

TikTok was not immediately reachable for comment on the matter.

The decision was taken after Prime Minister Imran Khan took a keen interest in the issue, an official in Pakistan told Reuters, adding that Khan has directed the telecom authorities to make all efforts to block vulgar content in the conservative Islamic republic.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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