TikTok has delegated the task of removing blasphemous content to Pakistan’s Telecommunication Authority (PTA), indicating that it removes videos upon receiving complaints from the regulator.
TikTok has delegated the task of removing blasphemous content to Pakistan’s Telecommunication Authority (PTA), indicating that it removes videos upon receiving complaints from the regulator. This development emerged from a letter addressed to the Peshawar High Court, where a petition seeks to permanently ban TikTok in Pakistan due to accusations of hosting blasphemous and morally objectionable content. The petitioner, Advocate Imran Khan, has urged the court to direct the respondents — including PTA, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and Ministry of Information — to take decisive action against TikTok for repeated violations of guidelines and constitutional provisions.
During previous court proceedings, the bench comprising Justice SM Atiq Shah and Justice Shakeel Ahmed directed the telecommunications regulator to ensure prompt removal of any content deemed blasphemous or objectionable on TikTok. In response, TikTok emphasized its rigorous approach to content moderation in Pakistan, highlighting its dedicated portal for PTA to expedite the review and removal of content that violates local blasphemy laws.
“TikTok takes the issue of blasphemous content extremely seriously, which is why we have implemented measures and provided PTA with special access to report such content through a dedicated portal,” stated the letter from TikTok. It further clarified that TikTok promptly blocks access to any content reported through this portal that breaches Pakistan’s laws, noting no recent escalations in reported incidents.
The video-sharing platform TikTok first faced a ban in Pakistan in October 2020 and has since encountered multiple suspensions, with regulatory concerns primarily centered around the promotion of content deemed immoral or offensive. TikTok remains engaged with PTA and awaits further guidance to address any reported content effectively.
