Madras High Court lifts ban on TikTok video app
Chennai, Apr 24 (IBNS): The Madras High Court on Wednesday lifted the interim ban on Chinese-owned TikTok video app subject to certain conditions.
The app claims to have 54 million active users in India.
The bench vacated its interim order of banning the app.
The ban has been lifted on conditions that pornographic videos will not be uploaded on it.
The court mentioned that if the video app fails to follow the order, contempt of court proceedings would begin.
TikTok Reaction:
"We are glad about this decision and we believe it is also greatly welcomed by our thriving community in India, who use TikTok as a platform to showcase their creativity. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our users better. While we’re pleased that our efforts to fight against misuse of the platform has been recognized, the work is never “done” on our end. We are committed to continuously enhancing our safety features as a testament to our ongoing commitment to our users in India," the company said in astatement.
TikTok Ban:
Earlier, IT majors Google and Apple had removed popular social media app TikTok from the Play Store and App Store respectively after the Indian government directed them to do so as there were allegations that the app is a source of cultural degradation.
People could not find the app in the respective stores when they are searching for since Wednesday.
The move by the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology came after the Supreme Court earlier refused to stay the order by the Madras High Court to ban the app.
Madras High Court Madurai Bench recently directed the Centre to prohibit downloading of TikTok mobile application.
A division bench comprising Justices N.Kirubakaran and S.S.Sundar also issued directions prohibiting media from telecasting videos made with the mobile application, while hearing a petition seeking a ban on it for circulating disturbing contents and degrading culture.
The judges sought a reply from the Centre whether it could enact an act, like the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act passed by USA to prevent children from becoming cyber victims.
What is TikTok?
TikTok is a media application for creating and sharing short videos. In India, it was mostly being used by teenagers.
Demand for its ban:
Pattali Makkal Katchi founder Dr.S.Ramadoss recently demanded that the TikTok mobile application be banned to stop the cultural degradation it has triggered in society.
Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi legislator Thamimun Ansari of Tamil Nadu had demanded that the app be banned for causing cultural degradation and encouraging pornography.
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