The famous social network has no longer operated since Thursday in this country neighboring China. The Kyrgyz Ministry of Digital indicated that it had “informed telecommunications operators of the need to limit access to TikTok, based on a decision by the security services.” Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said it was “worried about this decision which restricts the right to information under the pretext of protecting minors.
The blocking of TikTok comes as the Kyrgyz authorities have been accused in recent months by NGOs of wanting to strengthen their control over civil society. The social network, owned by the Chinese group Byte Dance, “did not comply” with an article of law on “measures aimed at preventing harm to the health of children and their physical, intellectual, mental, spiritual, and moral.”. In August, the Ministry of Culture had already threatened to ban Tik Tok, claiming “numerous requests from NGOs concerned about (its) harmful effects on children”.