Petition in SC challenges Madras HC order to ban TikTok
A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court against the Madras High Court's interim order calling for a ban on downloading the famous media app, TikTok. Few days after the HC order, senior advocate, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, mentioned the matter today seeking an urgent listing in the case. Notably, Madras HC has sought a ban on the app as it promotes pornography.
After listening to the petition, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said that he would look into the matter. The Madras HC on Wednesday asked the Centre to put a ban on the app saying that it encourages pornographic content. "People are making cruel humor against innocent third parties. Even television channels are telecasting TikTok videos, which are liable to be prohibited," HC said.
While listening to a petition filed by Muthu Kumar, a Madurai-based lawyer-cum-social activist, Justices SS Sundar and N Kirubakaran said that the app makes children vulnerable to sexual predators. "There is a possibility of the children contacting strangers directly," the HC added. The concerned officials were blamed for not learning a lesson from the Blue Whale Challenge, which pushed children towards committing suicide.
Madras HC further asked, "whether the Union of India will enact a statute, like Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, enacted by the US, to prevent the children from becoming cyber/online victims." TikTok's spokesperson said that the company would be waiting for court's orders to take necessary actions according to the local laws. "Maintaining a safe and positive in-app environment is our priority," spokesperson added.
The HC in its order, asked the Centre to respond before April 16, and sought a ban on downloading the mobile app and telecast of the videos from the app. However, the SC has refused the urgent listing of the plea on Monday. The SC bench, headed by CJI Gogoi, said that the plea would come up for hearing in due course of time.
TikTok is a Chinese app, also known as Douyin in China, allows users to create short videos with special effects and share them on various social media platforms. Kumar, in his petition had cited child abuse, suicides, pornographic content and cultural degradation for the ban.
