TikTok Appeals Nepal Ban in Formal Letter to Telecommunication Authority

In an official response to the recent decision by the Nepal Telecommunication Authority to ban TikTok in the country, the TikTok Company has submitted a formal letter to the authority seeking clarification and expressing surprise at the decision.

TikTok’s Head of Public Policy and Government Relations in South Asia, Ferdows Motakin, personally addressed the chairman of the authority, Purushottam Khanal, in the letter dated [Date]. The communication came in the wake of the Nepal government’s resolution to close TikTok, conveyed to the company via email through the Nepal Telecommunication Authority.

The letter, submitted on Monday, emphasizes TikTok’s astonishment at the government’s decision, stating, “We are also surprised by this decision of the Nepalese government, as are millions of Nepali people, who shared their creativity and happiness through our platform.”

TikTok asserts that its platform has rapidly gained acceptance across diverse regions, cultures, and socioeconomic levels in Nepal. The letter underscores the platform’s role in facilitating the exchange of information, education, entertainment, and inspiration among the Nepali community.

In addition to expressing surprise, TikTok’s formal letter sheds light on the company’s efforts to comply with Nepalese regulations. It highlights the removal of 29 lakh 80 thousand Nepali videos that did not meet the platform’s content standards.

The letter suggests that a collaborative approach, rather than restrictive measures, would be more effective in achieving the common goal of user security. It contends that the decision to close TikTok runs counter to fostering cooperation with the Nepalese government.

TikTok concludes the letter by expressing its commitment to continue working with the Government of Nepal to ensure user safety and address concerns related to content. Despite the decision made during the cabinet meeting held recently, to close TikTok in Nepal, the company remains dedicated to finding a mutually beneficial resolution through ongoing collaboration.