Ban TikTok, It's Ban TikTok, It's Encouraging Pornography, Madras High Court To Centre

The centre has been asked by the Madras High Court to ban popular Chinese video app TikTok, saying it was "encouraging pornography". The order also directs the media from telecasting videos made using the app. The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court, which has been hearing a petition against the app, on Wednesday said children who were using TikTok were vulnerable to exposure to sexual predators.

The judges, Justices N Kirubakaran and SS Sundar, have also directed the central government to respond before the February 16 if it would enact regulations such as theChildren's Online Privacy Protection Act in the US to prevent children becoming online victims.

A TikTok spokesman told news agency Reuters the company was committed to abiding by local laws and was awaiting a copy of the court's order, following which it would take appropriate action.

"Maintaining a safe and positive in-app environment ... is our priority," he said.

The court said the "dangerous aspect" of  TikTok is the "inappropriate" content. It also said "there is a possibility of the children contacting strangers directly".

The order also observed that pranks made using the app could violate privacy.