Madras HC Says Popular Video App TikTok Is ‘Encouraging Pornography’: Calls For Its Ban

The Madras High Court on Wednesday (3 March) asked the central government to ban the hugely popular Chinese video content app TikTok, stating that it was ‘encouraging pornography,’ reports Mint.

Judiciary's note of caution against the app comes only weeks after a demand was raised by MLA Thamimun Ansari in the Tamilnadu state assembly to ban the short-video app.

While jokes, clips and footage account for a significant portion of the platform, along with memes and videos, videos with scantily-clad young people lip-syncing and dancing to popular music are also increasingly becoming popular.

Ansari claimed that many supporters of the ban had called him in appreciation of his demand. “Many school and college students are using it. They and their families are getting affected by it, it's ripping them apart,” he had stated.

Inappropriate Sexual Content

The Madras High Court, which is hearing public interest litigation (PIL) against the app, said that TikTok made young children vulnerable to exposure to sexual predators. According to the court, "Inappropriate" content was TikTok's "dangerous aspect" and that "there is a possibility of the children contacting strangers directly.”

According to analytics firm Sensor Tower, Chinese-origin TikTok has been downloaded more than 240 million times in India.

Also Read: Indian Content Startups Feel The Heat: China’s Helo, TikTok Gain Traction As SJM Bats For Their Ban