TikTok Removes 3.1 Million Videos from Nepal in 9 Months

TikTok has removed 3.1 million videos from Nepal between April and December of last year (over 9 months). The platform stated that it removed these videos due to violations of its “Community Guidelines” and social appropriateness.

During the third quarter of 2024 (July, August, and September), 975,677 videos were removed, and in the fourth quarter (October, November, and December), 1.47 million videos were taken down, as mentioned in TikTok’s “Community Guidelines Enforcement Report.” Before this, TikTok was banned in Nepal from November 2023 (Kartik 2080) to August 2024 (Bhadau 2081). Even during the ban period, many videos were removed, with 678,545 videos being taken down between April and July 2024, just before the ban was lifted.

TikTok claims it is working to provide a safe and respectful digital environment for users in Nepal by regularly collaborating with government bodies and stakeholders. The company states, “Since the ban was lifted in Nepal, we have been cooperating with the government and regulators to maintain transparency, ensuring TikTok is a safe and trusted platform.”

The Nepali government had set several conditions when lifting the ban in 2024, including making TikTok mandatory to register in Nepal, collaborating on internet security, promoting digital literacy, supporting tourism, and improving educational quality, particularly with regards to “content filtering” and “moderation.”

While digital rights activists expressed concerns that such requirements could lead to the blocking of legitimate content, TikTok’s representatives argued that content filtering and moderation do not amount to “pre-censorship,” and such actions would not be unconstitutional.

Regarding government requests for content removal, TikTok stated that it takes them seriously, reviewing each piece of content based on “Community Guidelines,” “Terms of Service,” and local legal standards. “Even if content does not violate our guidelines but is deemed illegal under local laws, we may restrict such content within Nepal,” said TikTok’s representative. “However, we will not remove content if it does not violate our guidelines and local law.”

While TikTok operates as a global platform, its representatives emphasized that the platform follows local laws and standards and collaborates only with local stakeholders. TikTok continues to prioritize transparency and dialogue as part of its efforts to be a trustworthy partner in all its markets, including Nepal.

Since being registered in Nepal, TikTok has also been cooperating with the government on content moderation, research, and tourism promotion. According to Ministry of Communications spokesperson Gajendra Kumar Thakur, “TikTok has facilitated content removal processes at the government’s request. The company is reviewing videos with local representatives in Nepal. Around 6% of the content has been removed at the government’s request, with the rest proactively removed by TikTok.”

TikTok’s “Community Guidelines” clearly outline what is and isn’t acceptable on the platform, prohibiting the promotion of illegal activities like drug trafficking, weapons, human trafficking, and election interference. It also bans content supporting murder, suicide, terrorism, or violent activities. In addition, sexual or explicit content, child exploitation, hate speech, and spreading false information are prohibited.

The “Terms of Service” establish legal eligibility (age requirements), user responsibilities, intellectual property rights, and TikTok’s rights and limitations. Users are responsible for all content they post, must not use others’ content without permission, and permit TikTok to use the content posted on the platform. If users violate the company’s rules, TikTok may suspend accounts or remove content.