TikTok ban demand returns with a fresh plea in Bombay HC over 'unfiltered sexual content'

In what could be a second season of trouble for Chinese internet company ByteDance in India, public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court seeking a ban on the TikTok app. The petition against was filed on November 11 by a woman named Heena Darvesh alleging that TiKTok is a medium of "unfiltered sexual content, and harming youths of the country". Darvesh claims the usage of TikTok has resulted in several criminal incidents, including deaths in some instances.

PIL filed against TikTok in Bombay HC

TikTok is an application used to create, upload or share short lip-syncing comedy or music videos. In the past, TikTok has faced regulatory challenges in India, which temporarily banned TikTok in April this year, primarily due to content violating its community guidelines.

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Previously, the PIL was filed against TikTok in the Madras HC on the grounds of "encouraging pornography".

"Unfiltered sexual content on TikTok causing harm to the youth of the country. In July this year, two cases were registered by the Mumbai Police against few persons for posting videos on TikTok inciting violence and promoting enmity between religious groups," the petition states.

The plea is expected to come up for hearing before a division bench sometime this week.

TikTok under global political pressure

Recently, the U.S. government launched a national-security review of TikTok after several senators noted concerns about censorship and data collection on TikTok. ByteDance has already clarified the Chinese government does not have any jurisdiction over TikTok content.

READ | US launches a national-security review of China-owned video app TikTok

TikTok registers 150 crores users worldwide

Launched just two years ago, TikTok has crossed more than 150 crores downloads on Google Play and App Store, as per data by a research firm Sensor Tower. India has been an essential market for ByteDance. It will be fair to say that India has indeed been a driving force behind TikTok and ByteDance's global success.

READ | TikTok now has 150 crores users worldwide and special credit goes to India

(With PTI inputs)