TikTok‘s time is up in Afghanistan.
The Taliban announced on Thursday a ban on the popular video app over allegations that it was leading Afghan youth “astray.”
The ban is necessary to “prevent the younger generation from being misled,” according to a statement from Taliban spokesman Inamullah Samangani.
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The Taliban also banned the popular video game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and Afghan TV channels airing “immoral content.” It is unclear when the ban will be implemented, or for how long.
Online services such as TikTok and PUBG have become more relevant to young Afghans due to the Taliban’s restriction of other forms of entertainment, according to the BBC. TikTok was also used in the initial days of the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul to broadcast the change to the world, according to NBC News.
The Taliban took over control of Afghanistan in August 2021 after U.S. forces withdrew and the U.S.-backed government fell. Although the Taliban attempted to portray itself as more progressive than it was in the past, it has constantly taken action to restrict women’s rights.
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Afghanistan is not the only country taking a negative view of TikTok.
An Egyptian TikToker was sentenced to three years in prison on Monday after a criminal court alleged that she had engaged in “human trafficking.” The allegations arose after the young woman asked her followers to partner with her on social media.
