Nepal Allows TikTok Again After Ban

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — In a significant policy shift, Nepal's government has lifted the ban on the popular video-sharing app TikTok, which was imposed last November due to concerns over social harmony. The decision was announced during a cabinet meeting on Thursday, as reported by the state-run National News Agency. Information Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung stated that the directive came from Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli, who emphasized the need for equal treatment of all social networking platforms. The previous coalition government had enacted the ban, citing the app's role in disrupting social harmony and disseminating inappropriate content. Since taking office last month following the collapse of the prior government, Prime Minister Oli has sought to revise the approach to social media regulation. The government has also mandated that social media companies, including TikTok, register in Nepal, establish local offices, pay taxes, and comply with national laws. In the months leading up to the ban's reversal, there were multiple communications between the Nepalese government and TikTok officials. The app, owned by China's ByteDance, has faced scrutiny globally over data privacy concerns, with several countries, including the United States and New Zealand, banning it on government devices. Despite these concerns, TikTok has consistently denied sharing user data with the Chinese government. This decision marks a notable change in Nepal's digital policy landscape, following a previous ban on all pornographic websites in 2018.