Indian government directs Apple, Google to take down TikTok from app stores

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.

Can existing users access it:

MeitY’s order will help stop further downloads of the application, but people who have already downloaded it will be able to continue using it on their smartphones, both the people familiar with the development told the Economic Times.

“The High Court asked the government to prohibit download of TikTok application. It (MeitY) is ensuring that by asking Google and Apple to delete it from the app stores. Now it is up to the companies to do it or appeal the order,” said one of the people to the newspaper.

TikTok said it has faith on Indian judicial system.

“At Tik-Tok, 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.

What is TikTok?

TikTok is a media application for creating and sharing short videos.

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.