Madras HC's TikTok Ban Order Challenged Before SC, CJI Refuses Urgent Listing

Bytedance (India) Technology Pvt. Ltd., which owns the mobile application, has filed a special leave petition against the Madurai bench order directing the Government to ban the application.

The CJI headed bench, however, refused urgent listing of the petition. Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi mentioned the matter. The bench told that the plea will come up for hearing in due course of time.

TikTok and Ban

TikTok, previously known a musically, is a platform for short form mobile videos. It claims to empower everyone to be a creator directly from their smartphones, and is committed to building a community by encouraging users to share their passion and creative expression through their videos.

In July last year, Indonesia had banned it for containing "pornography, inappropriate content and blasphemy". Bangladesh has also banned the application for more or less same reasons.

While considering the petition filed by one S. Muthukumar seeking ban of the application, the bench comprising Justice N. Kirubakaran and Justice SS Sundar directed the authorities to prohibit downloading of TikTok Mobile Application. It also prohibited media from telecasting the videos made using TikTok Mobile App. The Central Government whether it will enact a statue like Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, enacted by the United States, to prevent children becoming cyber/online victims.

"The dangerous aspect is that inappropriate contents including language and pornography being posted in the TikTok App. There is a possibility of children contacting strangers directly and luring them. Without understanding the dangers involved in these kinds of Mobile Apps, it is unfortunate that are our children are testing with these Apps.", the High court had observed.