Nepal has joined the list of countries banning the popular video-sharing app, TikTok, citing concerns over the platform's content and potential for cyber crime. The Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, stated that TikTok's content was detrimental to social harmony, leading to the decision to block the app in the country.

This move comes after several other countries, including India and the UK, have also prohibited TikTok due to security and privacy concerns. The app, which boasts around a billion monthly users worldwide, has faced increasing scrutiny from authorities across the globe.

According to a report by BBC Media Action on media usage in Nepal, TikTok is the third most used platform in the country. However, with more than 1,600 TikTok-related cyber crime cases reported in Nepal over the past four years, the government felt it necessary to impose the ban.

While Minister Rekha Sharma pointed out the spread of malicious content as a reason for banning TikTok, Gagan Thapa, a senior leader of the Nepali Congress, which is part of the coalition government, has questioned the decision. This difference in opinion highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the impact and regulation of social media platforms.

One of the main concerns raised by authorities is the potential data security risk associated with TikTok. There have been apprehensions that user data could be shared with the Chinese government, as the app's parent company, ByteDance, is based in China. However, ByteDance has repeatedly denied these allegations.

The ban on TikTok in Nepal adds to a growing list of countries that have taken measures against the app. Pakistan has temporarily banned the app multiple times since October 2020, while Indonesia recently shut down TikTok's online shopping service. This trend indicates the increasing global scrutiny over the app's operations and its impact on social harmony and cybersecurity.

TikTok did not respond to the request for comment on the latest ban by the Nepalese government. As the app faces bans and restrictions in various countries, its future remains uncertain.

While some argue that TikTok provides a platform for creative expression and entertainment, authorities continue to grapple with the concerns surrounding its content moderation and data security. The ban imposed by Nepal highlights the need for a global conversation on the regulation of social media platforms to ensure the safety and well-being of its users.