Censorship of TikTok

Why Are Countries Banning TikTok?

Many countries have imposed restrictions on TikTok for various reasons, including national security concerns and the well-being of children. These bans often stem from fears about inappropriate content, misinformation, and potential misuse by governments. But is there more to it than meets the eye? Let’s dive into why these bans are happening and what they mean for users around the world.

The Global Ban Wave

Have you ever wondered why TikTok seems to be under a cloud in so many countries? Well, let’s take a look at some of the most notable cases. In Senegal, following opposition leader Ousmane Sonko’s arrest, the government blocked TikTok in August 2023. Similarly, Somalia banned the app citing propaganda and indecent content. A petition has been filed to ban TikTok in Kenya, adding another layer of complexity to its global presence.

Asia: A Region of Concern

In Asia, the bans are as varied as they are numerous. Afghanistan banned TikTok in April 2022 due to ‘misleading the younger generation’ and ‘not consistent with Islamic laws.’ Armenia experienced app functionality issues in October 2020, possibly related to government intervention during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh war. Azerbaijan restricted access twice—first in September 2020 and again on September 19, 2023—due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Bangladesh blocked TikTok’s internet access in November 2018 as part of its crackdown on pornography and gambling sites. The government requested TikTok remove 10 videos uploaded from Bangladesh. China does not have a functional app due to local network restrictions, but a VPN can circumvent the ban.

A 2019 ban was ordered by the Madras High Court in India citing encouragement of pornography and inappropriate content. On April 17, 2019, Google and Apple blocked TikTok from Google Play and the App Store for users in India due to court refusal to reconsider a ban. The company removed over 6 million videos that violated their content policy.

In 2020, TikTok was banned completely in India by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Indonesia temporarily banned TikTok in 2018 after accusations of promoting ‘pornography, inappropriate content, and blasphemy.’ The ban was lifted after promises from the company to censor content.

TikTok is banned in Iran due to both the app’s rules and Iranian censorship. Jordan imposed a temporary ban on TikTok following a police officer’s death during clashes with protesters. Kyrgyzstan banned TikTok in August 2023 citing concerns about children’s development. Nepal banned TikTok due to social harmony being disturbed by ‘misuse’ of the video app and a rising demand to control it.

Pakistan imposed multiple bans on TikTok over ‘immoral, obscene, and vulgar’ content. The ban was lifted after promises from ByteDance to remove objectionable content and block users who upload pornography and paedo content. Indonesia temporarily banned TikTok in 2018 for similar reasons, but the ban was later lifted.

In December 2022, Jordan announced a temporary ban on TikTok following a police officer’s death during clashes with protesters. The PTA (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority) banned TikTok in April 2021, but lifted it after TikTok assured moderation of content. However, the Sindh High Court ordered restoration, which was withdrawn. The PTA reinstated the ban in July 2021 due to ‘inappropriate content.’ In November 2021, the PTA agreed to lift the ban again.

Europe: A Region of Concerns

Is TikTok facing similar challenges in Europe? Indeed, it is. The European Commission and Council banned TikTok from official devices in February 2023. NATO announced a ban of TikTok on all NATO-issued devices in March 2023. Austria banned private use and installation of TikTok on work devices in May 2023. Belgium banned TikTok from federal government work devices in March 2023.

Czechia issued a warning against TikTok due to cybersecurity, privacy, and influence risks in March 2023. Denmark’s Ministry of Defence banned TikTok on work devices in March 2023. Estonia banned the use and installation of TikTok on smartphones issued by the state to officials starting from this month onwards.

France banned all ‘recreational applications’ including TikTok on government employees’ phones due to concerns over data security measures in March 2023. Ireland advised that TikTok should not be installed or used on official public sector devices. Latvia banned TikTok on work devices citing security reasons in March 2023.

Malta blocked the TikTok app on all government devices unless users have a ‘Standards Plus’ internet package. The Netherlands ordered officials to delete TikTok from their work phones and advised government personnel to suspend the use of TikTok in November 2022. Norway banned TikTok from the work phones and tablets used by ministers, state secretaries, and political advisors following advice from the National Security Authority in March 2023.

Romania’s telecommunications regulator called for TikTok to be suspended amid allegations of interference in the 2024 Romanian presidential election in November 2024. Russia criminalized spreading ‘misinformation’ against its invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, and banned new uploads of TikTok while allowing old videos that were uploaded within Russia.

The UK government announced that TikTok would be banned on electronic devices used by ministers and other employees amid security concerns in March 2023. Canada banned the app on all government-issued devices following a review in February 2023. The Canadian federal government ordered TikTok to dissolve its operations in Canada in November 2024.

The US has banned TikTok on devices owned by the federal government, with some exceptions. In May 2023, Montana became the first US state to ban TikTok due to personal devices, but a federal judge blocked it in November 2023. In March 2024, the House of Representatives passed a bill banning TikTok unless ByteDance divests within 180 days, which President Biden signed into law on April 24, 2024.

Why Are These Bans Happening?

Is it all about protecting children or national security? Or is there more to the story? Critics argue that bans often stem from a mix of genuine concerns and political motivations. For instance, some bans are driven by fears over data privacy and cybersecurity, while others may be influenced by broader geopolitical tensions.

The bans in Australia include 68 federal agencies and state governments considering bans on official devices. New Caledonia and New Zealand also implemented temporary and permanent bans due to cybersecurity concerns. The GCSB’s Minister, Andrew Little, had initially ruled out a ban on TikTok but later reconsidered it.

Conclusion

The world of social media is complex, and TikTok’s journey through various countries’ regulatory landscapes reflects this complexity. From national security to children’s well-being, the reasons for bans are multifaceted. As we navigate these challenges, one thing remains clear: the debate over TikTok’s place in our digital lives continues to evolve.