The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) blocked popular video sharing application, TikTok, for failing to remove “immoral” content on Friday, October 9, 2020.
“In view of the 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.
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.
In bad taste
Following the ban, netizens took to Twitter explaining why blocking an application like TikTok – which has become the sole source of earning for the working class – can’t help curb ‘vulgarity’ in the society.
Sharing a tweet featuring a TikTok video of Naseer Baloch – a labour worker with 4.9 million followers on TikTok – actor Mansha Pasha wrote, “This portal of creative expression not only served to relieve stress after a long day for so many people but also provided an extra source of income. While not providing basics like water and electricity, the authorities are now depriving people of these small pleasures as well.”
This portal of creative expression not only served to relieve stress after a long day for so many people but also provided an extra source of income.
— Mansha Pasha (@manshapasha) October 9, 2020
While not providing basics like water, electricity the authorities are now also depriving ppl of these small pleasures as well. https://t.co/7YeNQKH3eW
Another user pointed out the same issue, saying, “This is a bad decision. TikTok is a unique app that gives anyone the opportunity to become big.” Yet another chimed in, writing, “Where else could an average Pakistani make content and gain followers? Like that Sindhi guy making baked bricks in his village with 1M followers.”
This is a bad decision, TikTok is a unique app in that it gives anyone the opportunity to get big and do something with their reach, where else would an average Pakistani make content and gain a following? Like that sindhi guy making baked bricks in his village with 1M followers. https://t.co/kz9GRNHTFM
— Abdul Muhaymin (@abbddiiii) October 9, 2020
“My friend left his job to start an ad business on TikTok. He was employing people from Pakistan, helping them make money through the app. Today the government – because they cannot control content – banned TikTok and destroyed his livelihood,” tweeted another.
My friend left his job to start an ad business on TikTok. He was employing people & making Pakistanis on TikTok money. Today the PTI government because they cannot control content reflecting people's anger at poor governance banned TikTok and destroyed his livelihood #unbantiktok pic.twitter.com/7Qr6y1Xtfy
— H U Khan (@Huk06) October 9, 2020
The user went on to explain how TikTok was the only place where the poor had a voice on social media, pointing out that until the emergence of this platform, the digital revolution largely passed them by. “Make no mistake, this isn't a ban on TikTok. It's a classist ban on the poor and working class so they don't find a collective conscience,” they concluded.
TikTok was the only way poor had a voice in the social media revolution that until this platform had largely passed them by. Make no mistake this isn't a ban on TikTok. It's a classist ban on the poor & labor working class so they don't find a collective conscience #unbantiktok
— H U Khan (@Huk06) October 9, 2020
Some even called the decision ‘regressive’, adding that the mindsets needed to change in order to end rape culture, vulgarity, instead of applications. “Banning an App isn't the permanent solution. What if these users share the same content on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter? Will the government do the same?” they questioned.
Banning an App isn't the permanent solution. What if these users join Fb, YT, Insta, and Twitter with same contents. Will govt do the same?#TikTok #BANNED #MINAHIK_MALIK pic.twitter.com/X0LmK1xaAW
— مناہل ملک (ٹک ٹاک سٹار) (@minahil125) October 10, 2020
“From digital Pakistan to regressive degeneration, well done!” cried another.
But the majority lamented over the fate of those who earned from the application, “TikTok has become the source of income for poor people like Phullu. People like Jannat Mirza, Hareem Shah and Alex Bhatti may be using it for fame by spreading cheap and vulgar content but we should also look at the positive side of the app,” shared one more.
#TikTok has also become source of income for many poor people like phullu. To ban such app is not solution.Some people like #jannatmirza,hareem sha & #alexbhatti are just using it for fame and spreading cheap & vulgar content but we should also look at positive side of tik tok. pic.twitter.com/43o1BzAaUQ
— Asdullah Manzoor (@Asdulla27177565) October 9, 2020
Some felt that this was just the beginning, “I fear the #TikTok ban might be the beginning. Many other platforms could be in the line of fire given the grounds.” Then there was the lot that also felt sad for Jannat Mirza, the first Pakistani Tiktoker to cross 10 million followers. “Feeling sad for Jannat Mirza who recently got 10 million Followers on #TikTok,” they wrote.
Feeling sad for Jannat Mirza who recently got 10 million Followers on #TikTok pic.twitter.com/Cdg5SQw9AX
— رمشا طاھر (@rimshatahir54) October 9, 2020
Priorities in check?
Prior to the ban, some users, including a few celebrities, had expressed how issues other than the recent bans should be prioritised.
Especially since the culprits of the motorway rape case still roam free, and cases of rapes and sexual assaults seem to be only increasing, many believed that this focus on bans may divert attention from the bigger issues.
“It's been a day to this shameful incident and yet I'm getting more engagement on a post about streaming platforms and a web series than on what is, let's face it, a national crisis. Our priorities are messed up,” wrote actor Osman Khalid Butt, sharing a report of the two and a half year old girl named Zainab, who was murdered after being raped in Peshawar.
It's been a day to this shameful incident and yet I'm getting more engagement on a post about streaming platforms and a webseries than on what is, let's face it, a national crisis.
— Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) October 9, 2020
Our priorities are messed up.#JusticeforZainabhttps://t.co/TF54KzdLxA
With respect to the same case, actor Adnan Siddiqui also wrote, “Wish the little girl’s blood curdling screams haunt those monsters forever #justiceforzainab #anotherzainab.”
Wish the little girl’s blood curdling screams haunt those monsters forever #justiceforzainab #anotherzainab
— Adnan Siddiqui (@adnanactor) October 9, 2020
“Bye bye to freedom of speech and tolerance, and hello to online ‘Twitter courts’! I mean, who needs courts anymore in a democracy when apparently we have so many online experts on everything! Also should I be prepared for my trial for this tweet? But what’s the update on motorway rape incident or banning content left right centre needed more attention?” questioned actor Hareem Farooq in her latest tweet.
for my trial for this tweet? Also whats the update on motorway rape incident or banning content left right centre needed more attention? Just asking :)
— Hareem Farooq (@FarooqHareem) October 8, 2020
Prayers answered
Then there were the users who felt their prayers had been answered.
“Thank God, We are free from this virus now,” wrote a Twitter user. “Finally that day is here,” was shared via a meme by another.
#TikTok
— Ahmed Raza (@AhmedRa86471570) October 9, 2020
Whole Nation To PTA After They Ban #TikTok 🔥🇵🇰💯 pic.twitter.com/3Jxko5okBA
“Divided by borders, united by making TikTokers jobless,” shared an Indian memer along with a Mirzapur meme. “Excuse me, aap bhi?” shared another Indian user.
#TikTok
— Akash K. Verma (@Akash_sept11) October 9, 2020
Divided by border.
United by making tiktokers jobless. pic.twitter.com/zfpGIqetxZ
mean while Indians in 🇮🇳🤣😂😂 #TikTok pic.twitter.com/pGCAzIrwoG
— 🇮🇳Àtúl👻Harí 🇮🇳 (@atulhari10) October 9, 2020
Owned by China-based ByteDance, TikTok has been caught in a global firestorm due to security and privacy concerns lately. It has already been blocked in India and is facing scrutiny from Australia to the United States.
TikTok was not immediately reachable for comment on the matter.
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