Parliament rejects move to ban TikTok

A parliamentary committee has rejected a petition calling for a total ban on TikTok in the country, instead recommending regular compliance checks on the social media platform's operations by state authorities. In its report tabled in Parliament, the National Assembly Committee on Public Petitions said a total ban on TikTok would stifle freedom of media and expression, according to a report in The East African. ‘The committee rejects the prayer as a total ban on TikTok is not tenable as it violates fundamental rights and freedoms in the country,’ the committee's report said. ‘An outright ban on TikTok in the country will have far-reaching effects in limiting innovation and creativity among content users. ‘A ban will restrict the right to freedom of expression and freedom of the media, both constitutional rights in our democracy,’ the report said. The committee noted that as the country moves towards strengthening its digital economy, restricting the operations of social media will be counterproductive.