The regulatory authority for the communication industry in Kyrgyzstan, under the Ministry of Digital Development, sent a letter to internet providers asking them to restrict access to the social network TikTok. The request came following a letter from the State Committee for National Security (SCNS), highlighting the lack of a systematic approach to content censorship on TikTok in the Kyrgyz segment, especially in the children's information space.
Officials referred to the Law on measures to prevent harm to children's health, physical, spiritual, and moral development. The request aims to prevent harm to children's health and development, in accordance with government regulations and the Law on Communications. Internet providers were asked to limit access to TikTok in Kyrgyzstan and provide a written response by April 18, 2024.
This move follows a previous request from the Ministry of Culture to block TikTok, citing concerns from non-governmental organizations about the negative impact of the social network on children's mental health. The decision has sparked widespread debate in society and among experts, with concerns raised about the potential consequences on businesses, freedom of speech, democracy, and youth self-expression in Kyrgyzstan.
