Madras HC Passes Order To Ban TikTok, Says It’s Spoiling The Mindset Of Children

For the last couple of years, India has been on a hot streak of banning things left, right and centre. We’ve banned beef. We’ve banned porn. And most recently we’ve banned PUBG. However, now the powers that be are coming for India’s favourite video-recording app, TikTok.

According to Bar and Bench, the Madras High Court has passed an order to prohibit the download and use of TikTok.

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The directions in the interim order issued by Justices N Kirubakaran and SS Sundar were as follows:

  • The Government is directed to prohibit downloading of TikTok Mobile App.
  • The Media is prohibited from telecasting the videos made using the TikTok Mobile App.
  • The Government has to answer whether the Union of India will enact a statute, like the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, enacted by the United States, to prevent the children becoming cyber/online victims.
  • The Court passed the order after expressing concern that the app hosts inappropriate content, including pornography, which is available for access to children. The Bench has also expressed its consternation that minors are also exposed to strangers online through TikTok.

One of the Justices said,

“Majority of the teens are playing pranks, gaffing around with duet videos sharing with split screen to the strangers. The children who use the said application are vulnerable and may expose them to sexual predators …. Without understanding the dangers involved in these kinds of Mobile Apps., it is unfortunate that our children are testing with these Apps.”

TikTok has already been banned in Indonesia and Bangladesh. And due to several breaches of the right to privacy and instances of addiction to the app, the U.S. has passed the Children Online Privacy Act to protect minors from cyberbullying. The Bench has advised the Indian government to do the same.

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“By becoming addicted to TikTok App., and similar Apps. or cyber games, the future of the youngsters and mindset of the children are spoiled. Such an Act is necessary in our country also, as more offences against women and children are reported every day using Cyberspace.”

The Court further added that,

“Even after that [the Blue Whale Challenge], the officials have not learnt that they should be alert with regard to these type of problems. Only when the officials and policymakers are alive to the problems of the society, decision could be taken to prevent this kind of cyber applications.”

“The people are making cruel humour against innocent third parties. Even Television channels are also telecasting TikTok videos, which are also liable to be prohibited.”

TikTok has over 54 million monthly active users in India. And if you merely search “TikTok cringe” on YouTube, you will be able to witness the absolute horror that people are producing. So, let’s wait and watch if this ban is implemented on April 16.

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