PTA approaches TikTok to immediately block objectionable content

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has once again asked Chinese-owned social media app TikTok to immediately block vulgar, indecent, immoral, nude content for viewership in Pakistan.

“PTA has done so keeping in view the negative effects of indecent/immoral/nude content available on the platform,” the regulator said in a statement.

“PTA has approached TikTok to immediately ensure blocking of objectionable content and to prevent the usage of its platform for disseminating illegal content. In addition, the platform has been directed to put in place an effective content monitoring and moderation mechanism to proactively remove indecent/immoral content failing which necessary action will be taken under the law,” it added.

Back in July, PTA issued a final warning to clamp down on what it called "immoral, obscene and vulgar" content on the video-sharing platform.

TikTok has become a global sensation with its 15 to 60-second video clips and is hugely popular among young Pakistanis, with some users building up millions of followers.

Meanwhile, TikTok had said that it had removed more than 3.7 million videos that violated standards in Pakistan between July 1 and December 31 last year.

"We are committed to further strengthening our safeguards to ensure the safety of our users, while increasing our dialogue with the authorities to explain our policies and demonstrate our dedication to user security", the TikTok representative said.