KARACHI: Two days ago, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) initiated the ban on the web series Churails, a decision which was taken back and the show is back on the streaming platform, ZEE5. A few hours later, PTA announced a ban on TikTok in Pakistan. The local authority had also issued a final warning to TikTok in July before it finally got banned on October 9.
“In view of number of complaints from different segments of the society against immoral/indecent content on the video sharing application TikTok, PTA has issued instructions for blocking of the application” read the official statement.
“Keeping in view the complaints and nature of the content being consistently posted on TikTok, PTA issued a final notice to the application and gave considerable time to respond and comply with the Authority 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. However, the application failed to fully comply with the instructions, therefore, directions were issued for blocking of TikTok application in the country. TikTok has been informed that the Authority is open for engagement and will review its decision subject to a satisfactory mechanism by TikTok to moderate unlawful content.”
TikTok being banned will definitely be a step back for digital content creators. Pakistanis on Twitter, however, seemed to have mixed reactions towards the decision.
