PTA blocks use of TikTok app and website in Pakistan

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has on Wednesday declared it had blocked the popular video-sharing application TikTok in Pakistan over “inappropriate content”.

“In the light of relevant provisions of Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, PTA has blocked access to TikTok App and website in the country,” PTA said in its official tweet.

The action has been taken due to continuous presence of inappropriate content on the platform and its failure to take such content down.

— PTA (@PTAofficialpk) July 21, 2021

“The action has been taken due to the continuous presence of inappropriate content on the platform and its failure to take such content down,” it added.

Earlier, the Sindh High Court (SHC) had announced to lift the ban from TikTok, one of the most popular video-sharing applications globally.

The SHC had reversed the decision on banning TikTok and directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to restore the application.

The court, however, has directed the PTA to expedite the disposal of LGBT related applications.

Moreover, the PTA has promised to dispose of the complaints by July 5.

On Thursday, Tiktok issued a response message to the Sindh High Court’s (SHC) order to ban the app across Pakistan.

Previously, the SHC ordered to suspend the video-sharing app TikTok across the country over immoral and objectionable content.

“The creativity and passion of our community has brought joy to households across Pakistan and provided a home for incredibly talented creators,” said TikTok in a statement.

“We have grown our local-language moderation capacity for Pakistan, and work diligently to review and take action on content in violation of our Community Guidelines,” it added.

“We continue to work with regulators, and look forward to serving the millions of TikTok users and creators in Pakistan who have found a home for creativity, fun and vital economic opportunities for many years to come,” the statement by TikTok concluded.

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