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Nepal bans TikTok and says it disrupts social harmony (apnews.com)

709 points by thunderbong · 1013 days ago · 503 comments on HN

Article summary

Nepal has banned TikTok, citing its disruption of social harmony. The country had previously banned all pornographic sites in 2018. The ban on TikTok is intended to address concerns about the app's impact on society. The move is seen as a measure to regulate online content and protect users.

Main themes

  • Social media regulation
  • Censorship and free speech
  • Nepalese culture and society
  • TikTok and its impact
  • Government control and individual freedom
  • Foreign influence and propaganda

What commenters say

  • Some argue that banning TikTok is a form of censorship that infringes upon individual freedom of expression.
  • Others believe that the ban is necessary to protect users from harmful content and maintain social harmony.
  • The discussion touches on the idea that Western interpretations of free speech may not be applicable to Nepalese society and culture.
  • Some commenters think that fines would be a more effective way to regulate TikTok rather than an outright ban.
  • There is a concern that TikTok could be used as a tool for foreign influence or propaganda, particularly from China.
  • The ban is also seen as a way to address the potential risks of social media addiction and its impact on mental health.
  • Some argue that the ban is an overreach of government power and that individuals should be free to make their own choices about what content they consume.