The international organization "Reporters Without Borders" (RSF) has expressed concern over the blocking of TikTok in Kyrgyzstan. The organization's statement was published on the social network X.
The Telecommunications Regulation and Supervision Service at the Ministry of Digital Development sent a letter to internet providers in the country requesting to restrict access to the social network TikTok. This move came after receiving a letter from the State Committee for National Security (GKNB) stating that there is a lack of systematic and principled approach to content censorship in the Kyrgyzstani segment of TikTok, particularly in the children's information space.
The Ministry of Culture had previously requested the blocking of TikTok to the Ministry of Digital Development at the end of August last year. The Ministry highlighted concerns raised by several non-governmental organizations about the harmful impact of the social network TikTok on the mental development and health of children.
The decision to block TikTok in Kyrgyzstan has sparked widespread debate in both society and the expert community. There is a growing belief that banning the popular social network will exacerbate issues for small and medium businesses, damage freedom of speech and democracy in the Kyrgyz Republic, and limit self-expression opportunities among the youth.
