Pakistan to block social media app TikTok, says telecoms regulator

The South Asian Muslim majority nation had previously banned the app in October, but restored it within 10 days after the company vowed to block all accounts involved in spreading “obscenity and immorality.

“The telecom regulator said the social media company had agreed to moderate accounts in accordance with local laws.TikTok has been one of the most-downloaded app in Pakistan behind WhatsApp and Facebook.

TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, has become hugely popular in a short period of time, by encouraging young users to post brief videos. But the app has been mired in controversy in a number of countries, with authorities raising privacy concerns and security fears due to its links with China.

TikTok has denied that its ties to China pose a security concern in other countries.It was blocked by India in June – then its largest market in terms of users – which cited national security concerns amid border tensions with China.