Nepal Lifts TikTok Ban with New Conditions

Nepal has lifted its ban on TikTok, the popular social networking site, under specific conditions laid out by the Ministry of Information Technology and Communication. Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's administration requires TikTok to register with the ministry and meet additional criteria aimed at promoting digital security, tourism, and IT-based public education.

Nepal has officially lifted its ban on TikTok, the widely-used social networking platform, with specific conditions attached.

The decision came from a Cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, with directives for TikTok to sign an agreement with the Ministry of Information Technology and Communication, according to reliable sources.

Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, who is also the government spokesperson, confirmed that the ban was lifted as a policy measure, contingent upon TikTok fulfilling these conditions. The guidelines require every social network to be listed under the ministry, per Section 3 of the 'Social Network Operation Guideline 2080', with a designated point of contact as stipulated in clause 6.

TikTok representatives have agreed to these mandates, Gurung said. Additionally, the government has outlined four more conditions aimed at bolstering tourism promotion, digital security, literacy, and public education through information technology, according to the minister.

The TikTok ban had initially been imposed on November 12 of the previous year, citing the platform's role in disrupting social harmony, which led to considerable public outcry.

(With inputs from agencies.)