03 October 2024 | 23:33

Deputy calls for blocking TikTok in Kazakhstan

depositphotos.com / rafapress

Tengrinews.kz - Senator Gennadiy Shipovskih raised concerns about the various issues posed by TikTok in Kazakhstan, including data privacy and children’s online safety.

In a recent statement, the senator expressed concern over the growing popularity of TikTok, noting that many countries have implemented partial bans on the platform.

"Today, TikTok is popular worldwide, including in Kazakhstan, where its number of users continues to rise. While the platform, owned by a neighboring country, is used for educational purposes for teens, such content makes up only a small portion compared to other kinds of content. I want to draw our attention to the global trend of governments partially banning this platform for various reasons," he said.

He expressed concern over children’s mental health.

"Some TikTok content can negatively impact children, leading to false ideals and addictions. Kyrgyzstan has already banned the platform to protect children’s mental health. France and other countries have restricted TikTok because of concerns over data collection methods. Kazakhstan should focus on cybersecurity, as protecting data is linked to national security," the senator noted.

In his opinion, data confidentiality also raises serious concerns. He mentioned that Canada has imposed restrictive measures on TikTok for data protection.

“How TikTok collects and stores users' data can be questionable, which is a relevant issue for Kazakhstan as well. Restrictions are also necessary to maintain social stability. The spread of misinformation and provocative content on TikTok will most likely negatively impact the country’s social stability, leading to panic and distortion of public opinion,” he stated.

The senator outlined conditions under which TikTok would pose less danger, including the platform implementing clear algorithms to identify and restrict extremist, radical, and morally objectionable content. He also suggested creating a dedicated network for children, similar to YouTube Kids, to protect young users from harmful online content, and exploring the use of Face ID technology to restrict access for children under 13.

Without these measures, the senator believes a ban on TikTok may be necessary in Kazakhstan. He expressed confidence that addressing these issues would contribute to preserving the healthy moral values of citizens and reducing the spread of dangerous games and habits among youth.

Previously, we reported on how an investigation has been launched into social media platforms, including TikTok.

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