Somalia bans TikTok, Telegram to curb spread of 'constant horrific images and misinformation'
Somalia bans apps
Somalia has banned a number of social media applications in light of rapidly spreading indecent content and propaganda, said the nation's communication minister in a statement released late on Sunday.
Which apps have been banned?
The East African nation has placed a ban on the popular short video format application TikTok, messaging app Telegram and an online betting website 1XBet.
Reuters reports that the government order has given internet service providers time till August 24to comply with the ban.
Also read |Fifty-four Ugandan soldiers killed by al-Shabaab militants in attack on military base in Somalia
Somalian communications minister Jama Hassan Khalif's statement, as per Reuters, said: "The minister of communications orders internet companies to stop the aforementioned applications, which terrorists and immoral groups used to spread constant horrific images and misinformation to the public."
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Woman used AI to tell court what happened the night her ex-boyfriend 'raped' her. It was a bad idea
)
'First dumb AI': Meta AI blocks Indian PM Modi's video in his own country, allows abuse ads and deletes livelihoods without explanation
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
He predicted COVID-19 and 2008 economic crisis, was labeled fearmonger. Now he has another dire warning
)
Sadie Sink's leaked Spider-Man: Brand New Day clip fuels fresh Jean Grey speculation
)
RSS backed Jantar Mantar student protest? Mohan Bhagwat's 'question authority' remark resurfaces
)
ChatGPT invoked God, told pastor not to worry about his symptoms. Then pulmonary embolism hit
)
Rahul Gandhi slams BJP for felicitating Dharmendra Pradhan in Parliament, accuses Modi government of 'celebrating ruined futures'
)
'Islamic Republic will never make a deal with the US': Iran deputy speaker echoes Araghchi’s remark
)
NEET Protests riddled with misinformation? Delhi Police blocks 480 Pakistan-based handles spreading 'fake news' since Operation Sindoor
)
'Spreading deepfakes, deleted PM Modi's video': Why Meta AI should be banned in India for interfering in Indian economy and democracy
)
You are a 'Naked Official' in China if you hold high posts and have children or spouse abroad. What about India?
)
Delhi Police issues BIG statement on viral 'don't leave national capital without permission' notice | FACT CHECK
)
Earthquake of magnitude 7.1 strikes Japan's Kumamoto prefecture, tsunami warning issued
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
China deploying advanced fighter jets closer to India's northern frontier
)
Who will benefit from Kapil Sibal's ₹1 crore legal aid fund for NEET protesters? This is what we know
)
Giant iceberg flips violently near Greenland exposing its underside - 'I didn't know they could do that'
)
Why did Meta remove PM Modi's Facebook video on paper leaks? Tech company blames 'technical error'
)
Asim Munir eyes defence deal with Qatar & Turkiye after Kuwait as Pakistan seeks investments | Gravitas
)
France fines Infosys Rs 1.9 crore because of how it tracked employee hours
)
'Worst quality AI in market': Meta AI's moderation fail hits PM Modi and Indian Democracy
)
‘Kill Melania, Barron’: Why is IRGC-linked media outlet urging ‘freedom fighters’ to assassinate Trump’s family? WATCH
)
'Broader struggle for democracy...': Greta Thunberg joins Indian students protest in London - What she said
)
Russia-Ukraine War: Russia drops 3-tonne Glide bombs on Ukraine
)
NEET aspirant ends her life in Maharashtra after falling 11 marks short of cut-off
)
FAA orders fix for faulty seats on hundreds of Boeing 737 MAX jets, warns of passenger injury in emergency landings
)
3,000 years ago, humanity spoke thousands of languages — then fell silent. Where did they all go?
)
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir election turns violent: 19 killed, protests intensify as rigging allegations fly
)
Tom Cruise's daughter Suri drops his surname; adopts Katie Holmes' middle name Noelle
)
Jennifer Lopez's ex-husband Ojani Noa claims he confronted Sean 'Diddy' Combs over alleged affair
What prompted this ban?
As per the news agency, the ban comes days after the nation's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud revealed that a Somalian military offensive is aiming to eliminate al Shabaab, an insurgent group, in the next five months.
Members of al Shabaab — a group with linkages to al-Qaeda — often post about their illegal activities on TikTok and Telegram.
While ByteDance's TikTok and betting website 1XBet are yet to issue a comment over the ban, Telegram in its statement said: "Telegram consistently removes terrorist propaganda in Somalia and worldwide."
It also said that it "actively moderated" harmful content on its platform.
App users criticise the ban
In Somalia and elsewhere, millions of users use TikTok to make money by posting videos, entertaining content or promoting their products. Talking to Reuters, some Somalian TikTok influencersand content creators said they were against the ban.
One user, Abdulkadir Ali Mohamed, who calls himself Somalia's "TikTok President," said: "The ban on TikTok will make the lights of many homes go off."
"Where will we get our daily bread?" he asked.
Another user, Halimo Hassan, who sells precious metal gold on TikTok, expressed worry over losing her customers and said: "I urge the government to allow TikTok for the public, but control how it is used in the cultural context of Somalia."
(With inputs from agencies)
WATCH WION LIVE HERE
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.
