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Google, Apple asked to comply with Madras HC’s TikTok ban order

Decision comes day after Supreme Court refuses to stay the April 3 order of Madras High Court that directed the Centre to ban TikTok video sharing app

Google, Apple asked to comply with Madras HC’s TikTok ban order

(Photo: AFP)

Day after the Supreme Court refused to stay the Madras High Court’s TikTok ban order issued on 3 April, the government has asked tech giants Google and Apple to comply with the directive prohibiting downloading the TikTok app. Users can download the popular mobile app TikTok only through Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Quoting sources, a PTI report said instructions in this regard were sent to the two companies on Monday after the Supreme Court refused to interfere with the Madras High Court’s order. On 15 April, the apex court fixed April 22 as the next date for hearing.

On April 3, the Madras High Court had in an interim order directed the Centre to ban Tiktok app, after concerns were raised about access to pornographic content through it. The court had also restrained the visual and social media from telecasting through the app, noting that children were being exposed to inappropriate material. The high court is scheduled to further hear the matter on April 16.

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While Apple and Google are yet to comment on the directive, TikTok said in a statement: “We are committed to continuously enhancing our existing measures and introducing additional technical and moderation processes as a part of our ongoing commitment to our users in India. In line with this, we have been stepping up efforts to take down the objectionable content.”

Owned by Chinese company ByteDance, Tiktok app allows users to create short videos and share them.

“We have removed over 6 million videos that violated our terms of use and community guidelines, following an exhaustive review of contents generated by our users in India,” the company said in the statement.

(With agencies)

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