TikTok Ban Over: Madras HC Allows Download Of App To Avoid Violation Of Freedom Of Speech
Unless you¡¯ve been living under a rock, you know a lot of the talk in the tech world right now is about TikTok and its ban here in India. After being pulled from Android and iOS app stores, the fate of the Chinese app was decided today.
Unless you've been living under a rock, you know a lot of the talk in the tech world right now is about TikTok and its ban here in India. After being pulled from Android and iOS app stores, the fate of the Chinese app was decided today in a Madras HC hearing.
After the interim ban earlier this month, the Supreme Court heard the case a couple of days ago. There, it ordered the Madras High Court, which had initially called for the interim ban, to pass an interim order regarding the case.
After the interim ban earlier this month, the Supreme Court heard the case a couple of days ago. There, it ordered the Madras High Court, which had initially called for the interim ban, to pass an interim order regarding the case.
Today, a bench comprised of Justices N Kirubakaran and SS Sundar heard the submissions of TikTok and it¡¯s opponents. After deliberation, the HC decided to lift the ban on downloads of the app imposed in the country.
TikTok¡¯s plea focused on the fact there¡¯s already a system in place to prevent nude and obscene content making it onto the app. They also argued that online speech is protected by Article 19 (1) of the Constitution, therefore something that¡¯s permitted by law shouldn¡¯t be made illegal by ruling.
"Banning [TikTok] has had adverse impact on the user base of this app, losing close to 1 million new users per day," the company said in a filing. "It is estimated that approximately six million requests for downloads could not be effected since the ban came into effect." And now with the ban, that's the finishing blow that could destroy all chances they might have had at growth in India.
