Iraq considers TikTok ban again
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq's Minister of Communications, Hiyam Al-Yasiri, has reignited debate over a potential ban on TikTok, a platform immensely popular within the country, boasting 34.3 million users according to the Digital Media Center (DMC). The app serves as a preferred online destination for a wide segment of Iraqis, especially youth and numerous influencers and content creators.
Minister Al-Yasiri attributes the renewed push for banning Iraq's most-used social media app to 'thousands of appeals from Iraqi families' requesting its removal due to content deemed inappropriate and inconsistent with the values of 'our people and our families.' This stance mirrors her previous call for a ban in March 2024, when she argued TikTok contributed to the 'disintegration of the Iraqi social fabric' and lacked educational merit. The Ministry now hopes for, and would implement, a ban mandated by the Iraqi Parliament.
However, the proposed ban faces pushback. Fadel Al-Gharawi, head of the Strategic Center for Human Rights in Iraq, emphasized that freedom of expression is a fundamental right internationally, while acknowledging that it isn't absolute and shouldn't violate public morals. He noted that while social media has benefits, some TikTok usage in Iraq has deviated from public decency. Crucially, Al-Gharawi argued against a 'comprehensive ban,' advocating instead for platform regulation—similar to measures in other countries—to 'prune' problematic content without denying access.
Al-Gharawi urged the government to foster a safe online environment rather than resorting to bans. Launched globally in 2016 and surpassing 4.5 billion downloads, TikTok's widespread use presents Iraqi authorities with the complex challenge of balancing societal and cultural concerns against principles of digital freedom and access for its millions of users. The app's future in Iraq remains uncertain amid these conflicting pressures.
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