PHC allows unblocking of TikTok
System should be established to distinguish between good and bad content: CJ PHC
PESHAWAR (Dunya News) – Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday allowed government to unblock TikTok in the country.
During hearing of a case regarding immoral content on TikTok, the court while allowing the unbanning of the app, directed the officials to not allow uploading of any immoral content on TikTok.
Director General of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) told the court that they have taken the issue with administration of the app which has also appointed a focal person in the country.
Chief Justice of PHC remarked that a system should be established that can distinguish between good and bad content. With action from PTA, people will not upload immoral content anymore, he added.
Earlier on March 11, Peshawar High Court had ordered authorities to ban short video sharing Chinese app TikTok due to immoral content.
During a hearing of case against the app, Chief Justice remarked that the videos that are being uploaded on the app are not acceptable in our society so a ban should be imposed on the application from today.
DG Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) told the court that a request was made with the officials of the application about immoral content; however, no positive response was received from the company.
On this CJ PHC said that a ban should be imposed on the application as long as officials of the company do not follow directions of the country.
He further said that the application is having negative influence on the young generation.
Pakistan had also banned TikTok in October 2020 for failing to filter out immoral and indecent content. The decision came after a number of complaints from different segments of society, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said in a statement.
“Keeping in view the complaints and nature of the content being consistently posted on TikTok, PTA issued a final notice to the application,” the statement said.
“However, the application failed to fully comply with the instructions. Therefore, directions were issued for blocking of TikTok application in the country.”
However, after a 10-day hiatus, TikTok services were restored across the country with certain conditions, as PTA warned the company that spread of vulgarity / indecent content and abuse of societal values would result in a permanent ban on the app.
“The ban, which was placed on the short video sharing platform by the telecom regulator on Oct 9, was lifted after an ‘assurance’ regarding effective ‘moderation of content’ by the TikTok management in a virtual meeting, according to the PTA.
