TikTok has started working on all networks in Nepal gradually starting from Friday, Bhadra 21 after Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) officially directed telecom companies and internet service providers to restore access to the app as the ban was lifted two weeks ago. This means the Chinese video app is now working for all users in Nepal, whoever has the app on their devices, of course.
NTA confirmed its decision to release a notice. The authority said that it has “directed all service providers to allow TikTok on their networks” until further decision. The authority exercised the rights granted by Section 15 in the Telecommunications Act, 2053 to enact the ban reversal on the popular video app.
The development followed after TikTok officials from Singapore came to sign their agreement with the government yesterday (Thursday, Bhadra 20, 2081). After this, the Communication Ministry started facilitation to revive the popular app in Nepal. The Nepal government lifted the TikTok ban after a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Bhadra 06, 2081 (August 22, 2024) 10 months after TikTok agreed to terms and conditions the government set on the Chinese video-sharing app.
This marked a key progress in the TikTok ban saga because despite lifting the ban, the app was not yet accessible on major ISPs and telcos’ networks. That’s because an agreement hadn’t been reached between Bytedance (TikTok’s parent company) and the Government of Nepal leading to the frustration of Nepali smartphone users who were eager to access the app. However, now, the app is up and running again.
And in sign of its desire to stay legitimate, TikTok has got itself officially listed in Nepal as a social network platform. It has also received its taxpayer’s number and PAN from the communication ministry.
Don’t miss: Most important apps to use in Nepal
TikTok agrees to the government’s demands
According to MoCIT sources, TikTok’s Policy Division Chief had recently sent an email making a formal request to the government to reverse the TikTok ban. In the letter, he said that TikTok would adhere to all Nepali regulations and laws. Likewise, the minister earlier shared that TikTok will agree to all the terms and conditions of Nepal in the next three months.
There were rumors that the government would make a major decision soon on the TikTok ban and it eventually materialized.
The government under former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” banned TikTok in Nepal on Monday, November 13 (Kartik 27, 2080) citing its “social damages”. There were speculations about whether the app would face major scrutiny by the government. The decision still came as a shock and divided opinion among the netizens, experts, and the public. Soon after the ban, both TikTok.com and the TikTok mobile app went offline on operators’ and ISPs‘ networks.
Over the past months, TikTok sent multiple letters, 8 to be exact, expressing its commitment to implement strong community guidelines to filter out illicit content from its content. Just recently, the Chinese video-sharing app implemented dedicated guidelines for Nepal that would remove any content that won’t conform to its guidelines.
The government set four conditions for TikTok
Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung said that the government set four conditions on TikTok behind the decision to overturn the ban. According to the minister, TikTok will need to support the tourism promotion of Nepal and help increase the literacy rate of Nepal by investing in digital security literacy.
Also, the app must play an active role in improving the quality of public education and adopting sensitivity to the languages used in social networks.
“We have lifted the TikTok ban in Nepal as a policy as Tiktok will accept these conditions,” Gurung said.
Recently, Bytedance, TikTok’s parent company promised that it is ready to align with any necessary rules and regulations of Nepal. But before that, TikTok has also agreed to come under the listing under section 3 in a procedure relating to social networks. After this, the company must also establish a “point of contract” under Section 6 of the social media guidelines.
TikTok ban lifted by KP Sharma Oli’s government
The current government led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has always had a soft stance on the issue as well. It’s said that he was also eager to reinstate the app in Nepal.
The government was doing its homework to reverse the ban. Recently, it made the news that Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung had also directed his staff to gather suggestions on the TikTok ban reversal.
In 2080, MoCIT issued a procedure related to social networks and stated that TikTok must come under section 3 in it. Now that TikTok is ready for it, the government came in favor of canceling the ban. There are 14 writs against the TikTok ban due for a hearing at the Supreme Court. It is scheduled for Ashoj 10, 2081.
Saying that TikTok is popular in Nepal would be a huge understatement. The app is so popular that it almost stagnated Nepal’s internet during the Covid-19 lockdown. Since the first lockdown, the short-video-sharing app has become a common mainstay on Nepali internet users’ smartphones. Stat.io reports that there are over 2.4 million active TikTok users in Nepal.
Do read: Social media rules in Nepal: List of what you can’t do? Latest 2024/2081
TikTok is now accessible on all networks in Nepal
Although it took a few days after the ban was officially lifted, all ISPs and telecom companies have allowed TikTok access on their networks. To be specific, TikTok started running on Friday, Bhadra 21, 2081 (September 06, 2024). It must also be noted that despite the government banning the app, some ISPs seemed to have continued to allow the app on their networks. At the same time, many users used VPS apps to use TikTok. But now, the app can officially run without any third-party VPN apps.
To make this happen, MoCIT first sent a letter to NTA which then forwarded the letter to telcos and ISPs which contained the directive to reenable the app’s access.
Now, telecom companies, namely Nepal Telecom (NTC) and Ncell, and internet service providers (ISPs) then disabled IP address restrictions on their networks. After that, the app started running without a hitch.
Great news for TikTokers and telecom service providers!
TikTok’s “second coming” shall please users as well as telecom companies and internet service providers. Regular smartphone users use TikTok to utilize their time with fun. For businesses, it has become a key platform to promote their products and services. Likewise, content creators and influencers have also garnered their fan base and earned financial support through it. The ban had adversely impacted all of them but now, they should all be happy.
In addition to TikTokers, the ban has also deeply affected telecom operators and ISPs. NT, Ncell, and ISPs have all seen their revenues suffer after the app was disabled in Nepal. Having to spend more on international bandwidth, and loss of data pack sales aimed at TikTok use hurt ISPs and mobile companies as well as the government. Ncell earlier said that the TikTok ban affected its revenue by Rs 60 crore per month. For many though, the app has been a way of life rather than just a social network. Now as the ban is gone, the private telco launched an unlimited Ncell TikTok pack for its users.
However, it should also be considered that while TikTok access is beneficial to normal users, digital marketing, businesses, etc., it should be used in a way not harm the social cohesion and the moral fabric of society.
What’s your opinion?
How much do you consume TikTok? Did its ban and unban affect you or your businesses? Do provide your opinion in our comment box below.
