What's happened
Nepal has lifted its ban on TikTok, imposed in November 2023 due to concerns over social harmony. The decision, announced by Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, follows TikTok's commitment to comply with local regulations and support initiatives in Nepal. The ban's reversal reflects a shift in the government's approach under new Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Al Jazeera, the ban was lifted after TikTok assured the Nepalese government of its compliance with local laws. The Independent noted that TikTok has been given three months to fulfill specific conditions, including promoting tourism and supporting education. The New York Times highlighted the geopolitical implications of the decision, suggesting it reflects a shift towards closer ties with China under Prime Minister Oli. Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post emphasized the government's directive for equal treatment of social media platforms, indicating a more balanced regulatory approach moving forward.
How we got here
The ban on TikTok was enacted by the previous government, led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, citing the app's role in disrupting social harmony. The new government, under Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, has opted for a more lenient stance, emphasizing equal treatment of social media platforms.
More on these topics
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TikTok/Douyin is a Chinese video-sharing social networking service owned by ByteDance, a Beijing-based Internet technology company founded in 2012 by Zhang Yiming.
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Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a country in South Asia. It is mainly in the Himalayas, but also includes parts of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. It is the 49th largest country by population and 93rd largest country by area.
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Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli is a Nepalese politician and former Prime Minister of Nepal. He served three terms as prime minister from 11 October 2015 to 3 August 2016, from 15 February 2018 to 13 May 2021 as the first elected prime minister under the new con