JOIN USTikTok was models’ fave
Chinese Internet firm Bytedance’s social media app TikTok is no longer available on Google Play Store and App Store. However, those who have already installed the app can continue to use it.
The ban was enforced by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, following an order by the Madras High Court on April 3 to prohibit its downloads.
Most TikTokers are unhappy, but some welcome the ban.
Metrolife spoke to a few Bengaluru users of the app and here’s what they have to say.
Priyanka Sirigere, a model, says the app had to be banned because of some obscene videos which were making rounds online.
“The app was being misused by some users. Someone had to stop them. Even though I support the ban, I think it’s unfair to the ones who were committed to making quality content,” she says.
She adds that she hasn’t seen any changes in the app after the ban as she continues receiving notifications.
Professional model Kiran Koppal says, “Many aspiring models used TikTok as a platform to showcase their talent. It has helped many people recognise their dreams,” he adds.
Priyanka Preeth, who has 4.300-plus followers on TikTok, describes the app as ‘a learning platform.’
“Many have overcome their camera fear. There is a sense of satisfaction when people watch these videos and appreciate the acting skills,” she says.
If obscenity was the reason for the ban, the court should take down many other social media apps, she argues.
What parents say
One of the reasons cited by the Madras High Court for the ban is that children were exposed to adult content.
Sudha, a school teacher, feels parents must supervise children’s activities.
“Making obscene content in the name of viral videos creates a negative impact. The younger generation cannot differentiate between what’s right and what’s wrong. As parents, it is our duty to protect them from such content,” she says. But Rama, bank employee, says “My daughter, a model, has reached where she is today because of TikTok. By making these videos, she overcame stage fear. If pornographic content is the problem, then YouTube should be banned first. Why target TikTok?”
What is TikTok?
Owned by Chinese company ByteDance, the app allows users to create and share videos lasting 15 to 60 seconds. Earlier called Musical.ly, it was rebranded as TikTok in September 2018. TikTok at present has 120 million users in India.
Why Madras High Court banned it
- It promotes pornographic content
- It exposes children to sexual predators
- Youngsters on the app are mocked, pranked
- It violates personal privacy
Most searched term on Google after ban
After the removal of the TikTok app, Google saw a surge in ‘How to download TikTok’
It was the most searched-for term in Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Delhi and Tamil Nadu.
Users killed themselves posing for app
- Mohammad Salman, a 19-year-old from Delhi, lost his life after his friend, Suhail Malik, accidentally shot him while he was posing with a countrymade pistol.
- A college student from Tamil Nadu lost his life after accidentally ramming into a bus while riding on a scooter with two of his friends.
- Many users lost their lives jumping in front of moving vehicles while dancing to Tamil song ‘Nillu Nillu,’ with a branch of leaves and a helmet.
- A man in Punjab lost his life after he came under a tractor. Reports say that he was making a video on the platform and attempting to get on a moving tractor.
- A man from Chennai actually slit his throat and died during the making of a video in which he was pretending to slit his throat.
TikTok’s take
“The ban curtails the rights of the Indian citizens who have been expressing themselves and creating content,” the app developers said. TikTok has also claimed that ‘very minuscule’ proportion of its content was considered inappropriate or obscene.