The decision was announced by the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sport and Youth Policy. The ministry said that TikTok does not have adequate user controls to prevent children from accessing potentially harmful content. It also said that the app lacks proper age verification measures for its users.
The ministry also said that TikTok draws users into a virtual realm of short video clips, and after viewing these clips, some people attempt to imitate certain videos that pose life-threatening risks. Such addictive content has been observed to have an adverse impact on the emotional well-being of the younger generation, it said.
The ban on TikTok is the latest in a series of bans on the app in other countries. TikTok has been banned in India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The reasons for these bans vary, but they often cite concerns about data security and national security.
The Kyrgyz government's decision to ban TikTok is likely to be met with opposition from some users. However, the government has said that the ban is necessary to protect the health and well-being of children. (ILKHA)