Pakistan has lifted the ban on popular video application TikTok in the country after a period only spanning 11 days.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority reported as much on Monday, with the app having gotten blocked because of problematic videos, but warned the app could be banned permanently if TikTok does not actively moderate the content.
The ban's lifting comes on the back of the country's telecom authority having discussions with TikTok's senior management. The latter assured they would moderate the app's content as it relates to Pakistan's laws and societal norms. TikTok also vowed to block users who repeatedly upload unlawful content.
“The restoration of TikTok is strictly subject to the condition that the platform will not be used for the spread of vulgarity/indecent content & societal values will not be abused," the telecom authority said in a press release. "PTA will be constrained to permanently block the application in case said condition is not fulfilled."
“Therefore, in exercise of its powers under PECA (nation’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act), PTA has decided to immediately block Bigo and issue final warning to TikTok to put in place a comprehensive mechanism to control obscenity, vulgarity, and immorality through its social media application," the governing body stated earlier this month, having issued a "final warning" to TikTok in July.
TikTok moved to assure the country it will work harder to moderate content, also offering to invest in Pakistan should the ban be reversed.
The sanction had also caused concern, with some claiming the decision was, in essence, Pakistan attempting to censor the nation. The country introduced some strict internet censorship rules earlier this year that had a very negative impact on American tech firms operating in the country but backtracked after the likes of Facebook, Google and Twitter threatened to leave.
Neighboring India has also banned TikTok, as well as several other apps hailing from China. India was TikTok's biggest market outside of China but the country placed sanctions as a result of cybersecurity concerns.