NTA warns of action against ISPs if they don’t block access to Tik Tok; Regulate TikTok, don’t ban it: KMC Mayor Shah

Kathmandu / Nov 14: The Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) has warned that internet service providers (ISPs) will be punished if they do not shut down the social network Tik Tok.

The NTA issued a notice on Tuesday and instructed the internet service providers to implement the decision made by the Council of Ministers on Monday.

It has also stated that it is the duty of the ISPs to follow the instructions/orders of the authority, and if they do not follow the instructions, action will be taken by the authority as per Section 47 of the Telecommunications Act, 2053 BS.

The meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Monday decided to ban Tiktok saying that Tiktok had a negative impact on social harmony and social environment.

According to the Telecommunications Act, 2053, the NTA has given instructions to all ISPs and Mobile Service Providers, but some service providers’ networks are still continuing to allow access to Tiktok, NTA have instructed them to stop it immediately.

The notice issued by the NTA states, “It is the duty of the service provider to comply with the directives/orders of the authority, and failure to adhere to such directives/orders may result in action being taken by the authority under Section 47 of the Telecommunications Act, 2053, including possible legal proceedings. All concerned are hereby informed of this, including the time when enforcement actions may be taken.”

Regulate TikTok, don’t ban it: KMC Mayor Shah

Balendra Shah, the mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), said that Tiktok should not be banned but should be regulated.

Writing on social media on Tuesday, Mayor Shah requested the government to bring TikTok under the rules instead of shutting it down.

He has asked the government to monitor and regulate other social networks like Tiktok.

He said, ‘Tiktok should not be closed, it has not only brought many distortions, it was a place for many new entrepreneurs to promote their market, as well as it was a big platform for talents who did not get a chance to show their talent, and it was helping to internationalize Nepali song and music. Now, my request to the government of Nepal is not only Tiktok, but try to monitor and regulate other social networks, bring them under the scope of taxation and develop their own mechanism to censor wrong doings.”