Position of Dastan Bekeshev
Deputy Bekeshev sent an open letter to the chairman of the GKNB, in which he characterized the blocking of TikTok as "meaningless." He noted that the existing measures do not contribute to security and may even pose threats to citizens and the economy.
“The current blocking of TikTok in Kyrgyzstan does not fulfill the stated objectives of ensuring security and creates additional risks for society and business,” he pointed out in his address.
Opinion of the GKNB Head
Jumgalbek Shabdanbekov expressed concern in an interview with local media about the influence of TikTok on children and adolescents. He noted that the popularity of this platform among youth is associated with the spread of advertisements for drugs, alcohol, and gambling, as well as violence.
According to the general, TikTok undermines family and traditional values, which can negatively impact the younger generation and society as a whole.
In August 2023, the Ministry of Culture proposed to block access to TikTok in the country, and in April 2024, access to the platform was officially restricted.
This decision was based on violations committed by the TikTok administration regarding Article 2-1 of the Law "On Measures to Prevent Harm to Children's Health," which regulates information harmful to children.
Shabdanbekov noted that the blocking was influenced by numerous complaints from citizens, NGOs, and deputies pointing to content that is "inconsistent with Kyrgyz mentality," disseminated through TikTok.
Despite the ban, many users continue to use VPNs to access the platform, and some suggest lifting the ban, seeing TikTok as an opportunity for business and promoting tourism.
“The health and education of our children are more important than any social networks. No digital platform, including YouTube and Instagram, can be more important for the moral development of the younger generation,” emphasized the head of the special service.
Ineffectiveness of the Block
Dastan Bekeshev also added that TikTok has implemented a number of measures to protect users, including content filters and parental controls, which allow addressing violations without the need for a complete ban. He emphasized that closing one platform does not solve the problem, as similar materials can be found on other services.
In the deputy's opinion, the blocking only contributes to an increase in the number of VPN users and circumvention of restrictions.
“I believe that the blocking was unreasonable, as similar content is available on YouTube and Instagram. It makes no sense. There was probably some political moment involved. Therefore, I called on the head of the GKNB to lift the ban on TikTok, as it is beneficial for entrepreneurs. For example, the flower business can advertise its services there, and our compatriots can share interesting places in our country. Although Instagram is also good, TikTok has its unique algorithms,” he added in an interview with 24.kg.
Discussion on Unblocking TikTok
On February 19, a discussion on the issue of blocking TikTok took place at the Ministry of Culture's board meeting. Deputy Minister Marat Tagaev proposed to reconsider this decision, noting that after the dissolution of the Center for Monitoring the Information Environment in Kyrgyzstan, there is no body that interacts with social platforms. He also added that despite the ban, citizens, including youth, continue to use TikTok through VPNs.
