In a move to preserve social harmony and combat the alleged misuse of the popular video-sharing app, Nepal has announced a ban on TikTok. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting on Monday, according to Nepal's Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma.

Sharma stated that the ban was imposed due to TikTok being consistently used to share content that "disturbs social harmony and disrupts family structures and social relations." While specific details triggering the ban were not provided, Sharma mentioned that technical measures are being undertaken to enforce the restriction.

This move follows the footsteps of several other countries that have either partially or completely banned TikTok over security concerns. Nepal itself has seen over 1,600 TikTok-related cybercrime cases registered in the past four years, as reported by local media.

The Nepal Telecom Authority chief, Purushottam Khanal, disclosed that internet service providers have been instructed to close the app. Some providers have already complied, while others will do so later today.

TikTok has not yet responded to the ban announcement. However, the platform has previously criticized such bans as "misguided" and rooted in "misconceptions."

Unsurprisingly, the ban has generated significant attention, with videos discussing the decision garnering thousands of views on TikTok. Opposition leaders have criticized the move, branding it ineffective, lacking maturity, and responsibility. Pradeep Gyawali, a former foreign minister and senior leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), suggested that regulation rather than restriction should be the approach taken with social media platforms.

Gagan Thapa, a leader of the Nepali Congress party, a part of the ruling coalition, expressed concerns over the government's intention to stifle freedom of expression. While acknowledging the need to regulate social media abuse, Thapa argued that shutting down social media in the name of regulation is misguided.

Interestingly, this ban comes shortly after Nepal introduced a directive requiring social media platforms operating in the country to establish offices. This move aligns with efforts by multiple nations to tighten control over TikTok due to alleged violations of data rules and its potential negative impact on youth.

Nepal's decision to ban TikTok follows in the footsteps of neighboring India, which banned the app, along with numerous other Chinese-developed apps, in June 2020, citing concerns over national security and integrity. Pakistan has also banned TikTok multiple times over what it considers "immoral and indecent" content.

As the ban takes effect in Nepal, it remains to be seen how this move will impact social media dynamics and whether alternative strategies for regulation will be explored in the future.