Kathmandu
Nepal has lifted its ban on TikTok, less than a year after blocking the popular Chinese app over concerns about ‘social harmony.’ The decision was announced by Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, after a cabinet meeting on Thursday.
This change follows a directive from Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, who recently took office, calling for equal treatment of all social media platforms, according to sources. The move came after TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, assured the Nepalese government that it would follow all local laws, promote digital safety, and create a specific channel for handling government content requests.
TikTok welcomed the decision, saying it looks forward to continuing to support the creativity and economic opportunities of its users in Nepal. A spokesperson stated, ‘We are excited to keep enabling Nepali voices and creativity.’
The previous government led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal had banned TikTok in November, citing its impact on social harmony and family relations. Globally, TikTok faces restrictions in several countries over concerns about its influence on young users and potential security risks.
India banned TikTok and several other Chinese apps in 2020 following border tensions with China, and earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Justice sued TikTok over allegations of collecting data from users under 13 without proper consent.
