Nepal has lifted its nine-month ban on TikTok, which was initially imposed due to concerns over the platform’s impact on “social harmony.” The decision was confirmed on Thursday by the Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, after a cabinet meeting.
TikTok, which boasts around one billion monthly users globally, has faced restrictions in several countries for allegedly violating data privacy regulations and its potential negative effects on youth. However, the platform is now allowed to operate again in Nepal, following recent communications from TikTok’s South Asia division to the Nepalese government. The company assured that it would adhere to the country’s regulations and requested the lifting of the ban.
The suspension of TikTok in November last year followed the introduction of new directives requiring social media platforms operating in Nepal to establish local offices. The ban also came shortly after an anti-government demonstration led by a popular TikTok user. While the ban was supported by some for regulatory reasons, it was heavily criticized by free speech advocates and content creators, many of whom had built successful careers on the platform.
One such creator, Anjana Aryal, who transitioned from homemaker to entrepreneur by sharing recipes on TikTok, expressed her relief. “The ban had really affected many creators like me who had benefited from the app,” she said. TikTok’s return is expected to revive the income streams of many creators, who had seen their revenue sources dry up as they moved to other platforms like Instagram and Facebook, which did not provide the same reach.
Dinesh Tripathi, an advocate who challenged the TikTok ban in court, celebrated the decision as a “victory for free speech,” emphasizing its importance in a democratic society.
Owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, TikTok is one of the most widely used social media platforms globally. However, it has faced increasing scrutiny in various countries. The United States, for example, recently filed a lawsuit against TikTok, accusing it of jeopardizing children’s safety by collecting personal data without parental consent. TikTok is also dealing with pressure from the US government to sell the platform or face a potential nationwide ban.