TikTok blocked in Pakistan after failing to remove ‘immoral content’

Will review decision if a satisfactory mechanism is developed to block ‘unlawful content’, says PTA

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked a popular social media application, TikTok, for failing to remove “immoral” content.

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

In view of number of complaints from different segments of the society against immoral/indecent content on the video sharing application TikTok, pic.twitter.com/Vmp5umixeL

— PTA (@PTAofficialpk) October 9, 2020

The statement said the PTA had issued a final notice to the online application in July and gave considerable time to respond and comply with the instructions for development of effective mechanism for proactive moderation of unlawful online content.

“However, the application failed to fully comply with the instructions, therefore, directions were issued for blocking of TikTok application in the country,” it added.

TikTok has been informed that the PTA is open for engagement and will review its decision if a satisfactory mechanism was developed to block “unlawful content”.

In July, the 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 said, adding that he has directed the telecom authorities to make all efforts to block vulgar content.

With input from Reuters