Fatwa declares TikTok 'haram', calls for ban over content concerns

The religious scholars at Jamia Binoria Town in Karachi have issued a fatwa denouncing the popular video-sharing platform TikTok, categorically declaring its use as "haram" (prohibited) from a religious perspective.

The fatwa calls for a ban on the usage of the platform, citing concerns that TikTok is being exploited for financial gain through the proliferation of inappropriate content.

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The religious decree emphasises that TikTok is predominantly used for engaging in illicit activities, such as sharing prohibited images, videos, and music, disseminating indecent content, and promoting inappropriate humor, among other violations.

The decree further notes that individuals of various age groups, including the youth and the elderly, engage in activities on TikTok to earn money, some of which may not align with strong moral values. It highlights the need to consider the potential negative impacts on individuals' behavior and ethical values.

Owned by China-based ByteDance and reporting over 39 million downloads in 2022 alone, according to data from Sensor Tower, a mobile and digital analytics firm, TikTok has faced recurring calls for bans in many parts of the world including Pakistan.

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Earlier this year, a petition was filed in the Lahore High Court urging a ban on the TikTok application, citing concerns about its detrimental effects on the youth of society.

In 2021, the video-sharing app was banned for five months by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority from July to November. The ban was lifted after TikTok provided assurances that the platform would better control indecent or immoral content.