The short video-sharing app, TikTok, has approached the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and expressed willingness on further negotiations to comply with instructions for development of an effective mechanism for proactive moderation of unlawful online content. This was confirmed by PTA spokesperson Khurram Mehran while talking to local media yesterday.
When asked about reasons behind blocking TikTok, Mehran said that every country may have different reasons, but in Pakistan, the reason was indecent and immoral content, which led to blocking the video-sharing app.
The PTA blocked TikTok Friday after receiving number of complaints from various segments of the society against immoral/indecent content. Replying to a question, Mehran said that TikTok had formally approached the PTA and was ready to talk.
The authority is also open, if they (TikTok) want to negotiate, and comply with instructions for effective mechanism for proactive moderation of unlawful online content, Mehran further added.
A tweet issued by official handle of TikTok Pakistan said the company was working to restore its services in the country. However, no further information has been issued in this regard.
Keeping in view the complaints, and the nature of the content being consistently posted on TikTok, the PTA said it issued a final notice to the application, and gave considerable time to respond and comply with the authority’s instructions for development of effective mechanism for proactive moderation of unlawful online content.
Meanwhile, social media celebrity Hareem Shah slammed the restriction and called it a move to divert the public’s attention from real issues, such as wheat flour crisis.
“As you all know that TikTok has been banned and the reason that has been given for it is indecent content. I think that’s not a solid reason. It’s an entertainment app.
If there’s criminal content on it then the administrators [those who run it] of the app block it themselves,” the popular TikToker said.
“Instead of banning it, they [the government] should identify those who are involved in criminal or vulgar acts so that they could be punished and vulgarity is eliminated. In the US, they banned the app by giving a solid reason, which was their national security,” Shah said.
If there is a national security issue in Pakistan, then it’s right. But vulgarity is not a reason. I will give you an example: when your fingernails grow big you cut your nails, not the entire hand,” she maintained.
Shah received a volley of questions from journalists and answered all of them with poise and understanding at a press conference held at the Karachi Press Club to elicit her opinion on the government’s ban on TikTok app.
“There are different institutions such as the Censor Board in Pakistan who can do this job well. You will find people with a positive attitude to life as well as those with a negative vibe everywhere.
“If you look at it, then there is material on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, too, which is not good for the country’s reputation. India and the US had issues with China so they banned the app. If you are out to put an end to vulgarity you need to enforce the Islamic system in the country,” Shah pointed out.
In reply to a question, she said, “TikTok brought out talents of people; how could one snatch that from them?”
Answering a question, she said vulgarity committed by man or woman, either way, was condemnable. (But) women compared to men have become the focus of attention more if something bad happens.
CANDID: Hareem Shah
