TikTok Ban : SC Asks Madras HC To Hear Objections Against Ex Parte Order Tomorrow

The Supreme Court today directed the Madras High Court to consider tomorrow the objections against the ex-parte ban imposed on popular video app 'Tik Tok'

The Court was considering an SLP filed by of Bytedance Technology Pvt Ltd, the Indian operators of the app, against the ex-parte ban imposed by the High Court in an interim order passed in a PIL.

The SC has kept the SLP for further consideration on April 22, taking into account the nature of action taken by HC tomorrow.

On April 3, the HC bench of Justices Justice N. Kirubakaran and Justice SS Sundar passed the order directing the state authorities to prohibit downloading of TikTok Mobile Application and prohibited media from telecasting the videos made using the appl

 Agreeing with a PIL petitioner who sought a ban on the app, the HC observed that it was evident from media reports that pornography and inappropriate contents are made available in this kind of applications. It said:

"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".

In the SLP filed against the HC order, Bytedance has contended that the mobile platform is an intermediary as per Section 2(w) of the Information Technology Act, and that it cannot be held liable for actions of third parties on the platform. The app-operator relied on Section 79 of the IT Act which provides protection to intermediaries. 

Referring to Shreya Singhal decision which struck down Section 66A IT Act, it contended that intermediary cannot be presumed to have knowledge of illegal activities by third parties, unless such acts are actually brought to its notice through proper legal channel.

Bytedance further argued that the app is for circulation of "fun" and "amusing" videos, and posed no threat to life, liberty and security of an individual. Only a minuscule percentage of videos - 0.0006 %- is flagged as inappropriate by users, and an overwhelming majority of persons are using it legitimately for personal entertainment and expression, states the app operator in its petition in SC.

It has further stated that the app is like any other social media platform, and singling out of Tik Tok is discriminatory and arbitrary and that the 'disproportionate' ban has resulted in infringement of fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression.