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the governments allocating funds to it . In the immediate future Nepali users are off TikTok , something that seems incredulous when considering that every person under a certain age is on it , even to the point that some apply faux sponsorship logos on their vehicles promoting the platform .
In the longer term who knows what it will mean for individuals and businesses using TikTok as a way of promoting tourism and Nepal in general . And could it be just the start of a widespread banning of all social media ? Some indicate it is .
Regardless of what the future holds TikTok can be seen as being mostly responsible for it being switched off . Failure to work with the Nepali government on social concerns seems to have been the biggest detractor , something that was highlighted when addressing the November announcement by stating that ByteDance , TikTok ’ s parent company , would no longer invest in Nepal and could also lobby the Chinese government .
Social and civil rights groups believe the bans have a far greater political tone to them , insinuate that the Nepali government was fearful that of the 2.2 million users of TikTok those under the age of 24 use it to drive political debate along the lines of recreating a Hindu religious state headed by a monarchy . The banning has created greater division between Kathmandu and Beijing with several Chinese backed projects in Nepal being shelved or halted mid-construction , a move many see as not a terrible thing .
The ban will see short term pain , but like in other jurisdictions a way forward will be found , individual and business users will discover detours or other options , travellers and riders will either have to switch on international roaming on their devices or forgo the all-important social media uploads , and should that occur how will they ever prove that something actually happened without a TikTok video .
Once the heartbreak of no TikTok diminishes there could be a return to social harmony and long-term peace within Nepal and any other nation that chooses to follow suit . And in the meantime , how will the traveller cope without being asked for a TikTok handle ? TRAVERSE
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