In response to calls from the country's security services to safeguard children, Kyrgyzstan has reportedly restricted access to TikTok, effectively blocking the popular social media platform within its borders.
Attempts by AFP journalists to access TikTok on Thursday yielded an error message stating, "Unable to load, please try again," signaling the apparent enforcement of the ban.
The decision comes after Kyrgyzstan's digital ministry notified telecommunication operators of the necessity to limit TikTok access, citing directives from the security services. ByteDance, the Chinese conglomerate that owns TikTok, was alleged to have flouted legal obligations outlined in child protection legislation, prompting the move.
The State Committee for National Security, akin to the Soviet-era KGB secret police and headed by Kamchybek Tashiev, spearheaded the initiative. However, the move has raised concerns among press freedom advocates, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF), who urged the government to rescind the arbitrary ban and establish transparent regulatory frameworks for online platforms.
Kyrgyzstan's recent crackdown on independent media and civil society activities reflects a broader trend of tightening state control over information. Previously regarded as a relatively open space for free expression in Central Asia, the country has witnessed a series of journalist arrests, media outlet suspensions, and the implementation of restrictive laws targeting dissent.
The ban on TikTok in Kyrgyzstan mirrors global scrutiny surrounding the app's impact on children's mental health and data privacy concerns, particularly regarding its ties to the Chinese government. As the debate over digital regulation intensifies, TikTok finds itself under increased scrutiny in various jurisdictions, including the United States and European Union.
More: https://techxplore.com/news/2024-04-tiktok-kyrgyzstan.html
