The government of Nepal announced Monday it has banned the TikTok social media video app in the country, citing what it called its negative effect on the nation’s “social harmony.”
Nepal’s Council of Ministers opted to make the move after concluding that “propaganda” carried on the platform is contrary to national interests, state television reported.
“There is continuous propaganda from TikTok that disturbs our family structure and social relations. To control this, it has been decided to shut down TikTok for the time being,” said government spokesman and Communications Minister Rekha Sharma, adding that the national telecommunications authority had already begun preparations to block the app.
The impetus to ban the Chinese-owned short-form video app comes from an increase in “social, religious and communal relations activities” on the platform, the government said.
Nepal’s decision adds to a chorus of concerns raised misinformation circulating on social media, especially since the outbreak of Israeli-Hamas war last month.
