In some big news today, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority blocked the popular video-sharing app TikTok after citing “immoral and indecent” content. As per the details outlined on the press release, the app was blocked in view of “complaints” and the “nature of content being consistently posted on TikTok”. A “final notice” was issued to the app.
There was much talk about the app being blocked but the step was never taken. TikTok was given “considerable time” to respond and comply with instructions to effectively moderate “unlawful online content”, the organisation had said.
Finally #TikTok ban in Pakistan!!! pic.twitter.com/O1Mo1gax21
— Mehreen Niz (@MehreenNiz) October 9, 2020
“However, the application failed to fully comply with the instructions, therefore, directions were issued for blocking of TikTok application in the country,” the statement said. Further, TikTok has been informed that the authority “is open for engagement” and will review its decision if it finds a “satisfactory mechanism” has been employed by the video-sharing app to moderate “unlawful content”.
Just minutes after the news broke of the app being blocked, the app started showing a blank interface with no text or images loading. TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, has been caught in a firestorm globally due to security and privacy concerns. The app was also earlier blocked in India and faces scrutiny in Australia and the United States.
When TikTok was reached for comment they were not immediately available for comment. The decision was made after Prime Minister Imran Khan took a keen interest in the app and the issues pertaining to it. He had earlier directed the telecom authorities to make all efforts to block vulgar content.
And of course, after the news broke, netizens had much to say. From angry memes, to hilarious memes and varying opinions made their way across social media. The hashtags #TikTok and #Banned fast began trending on Twitter and we rounded up some of the most prominent reactions to the ban.
“Was both surprised & in awe of how much #tiktok picked up in the remotest of places across #Pakistan. Not only could people earn but freely criticise gov policies, rising prices, hypocrisy etc – banning tiktok to protect facade of Khan – reality is people are ready to overthrow!” Bakhtwar Bhutto Zardari penned on Twitter.
“Appreciate….decision of pti government..May Allah pay attention to our education to our entire generation which was engaged in tick tock… Thank Allah,” another user wrote.
Appreciate….decision of pti government ….. ?
May Allah pay attention to our education to our entire generation which was engaged in tick tock…
… Thank Allah.. ?#TickTock #bannedTiktok #BANNED
@PTAofficialpk pic.twitter.com/vvNJK2Wd1E— Rashida Nosheen (@RNoshesn) October 9, 2020
Many had pointed out how TikTok was used by people to express themselves and it was a form of creative freedom. “Guess FREEDOM OF SPEECH is dead now too! what a crying shame,” a netizen pointed out.
guess FREEDOM OF SPEECH is dead now too! what a crying shame. #tiktok #banned #bannedTiktok #americanbeauty pic.twitter.com/wcfzyvy5BT
— devoted dove? (@_GODfidence) October 9, 2020
http://thebrownidentity.com/2020/10/09/pakistan-telecommunication-authority-bans-tiktok-over-indecent-content/
Many even pointed out how bad they felt for Jannat Mirza who just became the first Pakistani to reach 10 million followers:
Feeling sad for Jannat Mirza who recently got 10 million Followers on #TikTok pic.twitter.com/Cdg5SQw9AX
— ???? ???? (@rimshatahir54) October 9, 2020
Jannat Mirza Right Now:#TikTok pic.twitter.com/21VsiNI5sQ
— JahanZaib (@JahanZaibb_) October 9, 2020
Here are some other reactions to the news after it broke in Pakistan:
Don't Mess with my PM:#TikTok pic.twitter.com/iJfsYYeq9n
— JahanZaib (@JahanZaibb_) October 9, 2020
Memer's and Youtuber's rightnow after listening #TikTok ban news: pic.twitter.com/Ov0MdmxYVQ
— ??????? (@choco_boy10) October 9, 2020
mean while Indians in ????? #TikTok pic.twitter.com/pGCAzIrwoG
— ??Àtúl?Harí ?? (@atulhari10) October 9, 2020
Whole nation salute to PTA for banning #TikTok pic.twitter.com/7fIfzTIrko
— Hassan Gujjar (@hbsgujjar111) October 9, 2020
PTA ki call ai thi tiktok is no more with us
???#TikTok pic.twitter.com/hAXMzyeUx7— syed bilal (@syedbil74424263) October 9, 2020
