KATHMANDU: Today marks the scheduled hearing of a writ petition challenging the ban on TikTok, the popular short-form video-sharing platform launched by the Chinese tech company ByteDance in September 2016.

The Supreme Court had previously issued a show cause notice to the government in response to the case.

The decision to ban TikTok in Nepal was made during the Council of Ministers’ meeting on November 13 last month. Following the government’s directive, most internet service providers in the country ceased the operation of TikTok.

The petitioners have appealed in their writ to revoke the ban on TikTok. The government had imposed the ban, citing concerns related to disturbance in social harmony, numerous cases against public decency, and alleged lack of cooperation from TikTok Company in crime prevention and prosecution efforts.

The outcome of today’s hearing will be closely watched, considering the widespread popularity of TikTok and its impact on social media culture.