As we mentioned previously, TikTok is one of the most popular apps in Southeast Asia. As of now, there are over 325 million users registered in the region. Plus, it seems more likely for the volume to rise. However, Nepal did something that surprised everyone.

In case you didn’t know, Nepal has decided to ban TikTok. Why? According to Nepal’s Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, the popular short video app was disrupting social structures in the country. She also added

“Considering how TikTok is disrupting our social harmony and the impact it’s having on our family and social structures, the cabinet has decided to ban TikTok for the moment,”

Interestingly, the Nepali Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal defended this decision too. In addition, Purushottam Khanal, chair of the Telecommunications Authority, has asked internet service providers to cut access to the app. This is what the Nepali Prime Minister says about the ban:

“After a long discussion on how to control the tendency to spread disharmony, disorder, and chaos in the society … a consensus was reached among all political parties, including both the ruling party and the opposition,”

This is not the first time a country has banned TikTok. Previously, India has banned the app in 2023. Citing the Chinese app as a threat to sovereignty and integrity. We have yet to confirm other details on this matter or if Malaysia will follow suit. At this point, we can only wait and see.

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