Asian Tech Press (Nov 14) -- Nepal's government on Monday decided to ban the popular social media application TikTok, saying it was disrupting social harmony in the country.

The decision came after a Cabinet meeting, as Nepali Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud said the government would ban the app with immediate effect.

"There is a need for the government to regulate the use of social media platforms as they disrupt social harmony and cause the spread of indecent content," he stressed.

Saud said that in order to hold social media platforms accountable, the government has asked these companies to register and open liaison offices in Nepal, pay taxes and comply with Nepal's laws and regulations.

Nonetheless, opposition leaders in Nepal have criticized the move as lacking effectiveness and responsibility.

Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa, said on social media platform X that the government's intention was to stifle "freedom of expression and individuality".

"Regulation is necessary to discourage those who abuse social media, but shutting down social media in the name of regulation is completely wrong," Thapa said.

TikTok has not commented on the issue, but has previously said that such bans are wrong and based on misunderstandings.