A Pakistani court on Thursday lifted a ban on the video sharing platform TikTok but asked authorities to keep a check on `immoral content.’
The Peshawar High Court had announced the decision and directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to make sure questionable content is not uploaded to the platform.
PTA said the ban was lifted and “TikTok App management have been told to ensure that vulgar and objectionable content are to be made inaccessible.’’
TikTok released a statement saying it was pleased to be once again available in Pakistan, Dawn newspaper reported.
In March, Pakistan banned TikTok for the second time in less than a year for not moderating content in accordance with local laws.
The app is popular with young people around the world who post short videos often featuring choreography, comedy skits, challenges and memes.
Pakistan previously banned TikTok in October 2020 for failing to moderate content, but authorities lifted restrictions within weeks reportedly after pressure from China, a Pakistan neighbour and political ally.
Pakistan also banned live-streaming app Bigo Live for the same reason in 2020 and warned video-sharing platform YouTube to block “vulgarity and hate speech.’’ Dating app Tinder is blocked as well.
YouTube introduced a localised version in Pakistan after it was banned for several months in 2012, following protests against a film deemed insulting to the Muslim prophet Mohammed.
