‘TikTok encouraging pornography’, Madras HC tells Centre; seeks ban on Chinese video app

The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court while hearing a petition against the app, on Wednesday said children who were using TikTok were vulnerable to exposure to sexual predators. The petition was filed by a Madurai-based senior lawyer-cum-social activist Muthu Kumar, citing pornography, cultural degradation, child abuse, suicides, he had requested the court to direct a ban on TikTok.

The judges, Justices N Kirubakaran and SS Sundar also seeks Centre’s response on the matter before February 16. "Maintaining a safe and positive in-app environment ... is our priority," he said.

Stating that deadly suicide games like ‘Blue Whale’ were “responsible for the suicide of many youngsters in the country,” the court blamed concerned officials for not having learnt a lesson.

“They should be alert with regard to these type of problems,” stated the order. “The people are making cruel humour against innocent third parties. Even television channels are telecasting TikTok videos, which are liable to be prohibited,” the order said.

Also read: Maneka Gandhi: Mayawati charges Rs 15 crore per ticket, she accepts diamond too