The government of Kazakhstan is deliberating the potential blocking of the popular social network TikTok, citing rising concerns over the proliferation of fraudulent activities, dissemination of false information, and cyberbullying on the platform, Interfax reports with reference to the Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic Aida Balaeva. Aida Balaeva highlighted the growing volume of illegal content, including extremist materials, as a pressing issue prompting the authorities to consider restrictions on TikTok.
Balaeva stated, "In particular, TikTok is now underway - we are studying this issue,"
emphasizing that the government is exploring the possibility of imposing restrictions in line with what she termed a "global trend." She pointed out that neighboring states have also taken similar measures in response to mounting concerns over online safety and content regulation.
The move comes after Deputy of the Kazakh Mazhilis Erlan Sairov submitted a request to the Prime Minister advocating for the blocking of TikTok. Sairov expressed concerns about the platform's alleged facilitation of activities that "bring great moral harm to young people," including the promotion of online casinos and gambling, dissemination of slander, and exposure to harmful information. He proposed stricter measures to actively combat the circulation of illegal content, along with advocating for enhanced restrictions on TikTok usage among minors, suggesting the implementation of a specialized "children's" mode as a potential solution.
The initiative to restrict TikTok in Kazakhstan echoes similar actions taken by Uzbekistan, which imposed limitations on the operation of TikTok and other foreign services in 2021, citing violations of personal data laws. Although restrictions on platforms like Twitter, VK, and WeChat were lifted in August 2022, TikTok remains subject to regulatory scrutiny.
In a related development, providers in Kyrgyzstan commenced blocking access to TikTok from April 18, 2024. The decision was attributed to concerns over the lack of a systematic approach to content censorship
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