Somalia bans TikTok, Telegram

Communications Minister Jama Hassan Khalif said he had ordered internet companies to block TikTok, Telegram and a betting website frequently used by terrorist groups to spread horrific images and false information to the public.

This is the first attempt by a government agency in Somalia to shut down a social network.

Somali internet service providers must block TikTok by August 24. (Photo: The Atlantic).

Members of the Shabaab insurgent group have been active on Telegram and TikTok to post about their activities. Al-Shabab is the world's largest al-Qaeda network, according to the military's Africa Command (Africom).

The Somali government has given internet service providers 24 August to comply. TikTok declined to comment on the ban, saying it is awaiting official notification. Meanwhile, Telegram said it has been consistently removing terrorist propaganda in Somalia and globally. The platform also actively moderates harmful content.

Content creators who make money from the platform expressed concern that the ban would affect their income.

TikTok has also been threatened with a ban in the US because of its Chinese origins. Montana was the first US state to ban the app in May 2023. Recently, New York banned TikTok on public devices due to security issues. New York agencies must delete the app from public devices within 30 days. City employees are prohibited from downloading or using the app or accessing TikTok's website on government-issued devices.

(According to Reuters)