TikTok is no longer available on Apple, Google stores after Indian government's direction
New Delhi, Apr 17 (IBNS): IT majors Google and Apple have apparently 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 cannot find the app in the respective stores when they are searching for it on Wednesday.
The move, by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), comes after the Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay an earlier order by the Madras High Court to ban the app, reported The Economic Times.
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 teengers for creation and sharing of short videos.
TikTok's reaction:
TikTok said it has faith on Indian judicial system.
“At TikTok, we have faith in the Indian Judicial system and the stipulations afforded to social media platforms by the Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules, 2011,” Economic Times quoted the statement issued by the company.
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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