The Madras High Court has asked the Indian government to ban the download of TikTok, as an interim measure, to prevent new users from using the app. It has directed that the media stop showcasing videos from TikTok, and the Government of India enact a law on the lines of Children's Online Privacy Protection Act in the United States. At the time of filing this story, the application was still available for download on the Google Play store. This might take some time, since the government will first have to receive the order, and then order Google and/or ISPs to block the download of the application. The order (read on LiveLaw), by Justice Kirubakaran and S. Sundar, points out four key issues seen with the application: Pornography and mental health: contains "degrading culture and encouraging pornography besides causing pedophiles and explicit disturbing content, social stigma and mental health issue between teens"..."It is evident from media reports that pornography and inappropriate contents are made available on this kind of cyber applications. Pranks: "majority of teens are playing pranks, gaffing around with duet videos sharing with split screen to the strangers"..."People are "making cruel humour against innocent third parties. Even television channels are also telecasting Tik Tok videos"..."Nobody can be pranked or shocked or being made as a subject of mockery by any third party and it would amount to the violation of the privacy." Potential exposure of Children to sexual predators: Children who use the application "are vulnerable and may expose…
