Pakistan bans TikTok over 'immoral' content

Pakistan has banned social media app TikTok over "immoral" content.

The PTA said TikTok has been informed that the regulator is open to engagement.  (REUTERS)

Pakistan on Friday blocked social media app TikTok for failing to filter out "immoral and indecent" content, the country's telecommunication authority said in a statement.

Pakistan had issued a ‘final' warning to TikTok earlier in July this year about ‘immoral content' when they blocked live streaming app Bigo Live for the same reason.

"PTA has decided to immediately block Bigo and issue final warning to TikTok to put in place a comprehensive mechanism to control obscenity, vulgarity and immorality through its social media application," the statement issued then had said.

"In view of number of complaints from different segments of the society against immoral and indecent content on the video-sharing application TikTok, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued instructions for blocking of the application," said the statement that confirmed an earlier Reuters report on the looming ban.

TikTok was not immediately reachable for comment on the matter.

The PTA said TikTok has been informed that the regulator is open to engagement and will review its decision subject to a satisfactory mechanism by TikTok to moderate unlawful content.

India banned TikTok earlier in June this year.