Last week Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said a military offensive against al-Shabaab aims to eliminate it in the next five months
21 August 2023 - 13:22
byAbdi Sheikh
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The TikTok logo is pictured outside the company's US head office in Culver City, California. File photo: MIKE BLAKE/REUTERS
Mogadishu — Somalia has banned TikTok, messaging app Telegram and online-betting website 1XBet to limit the spread of indecent content and propaganda, its communications minister said.
“The minister of communications orders internet companies to stop the aforementioned applications, which terrorists and immoral groups use to spread constant horrific images and misinformation to the public,” the minister, Jama Hassan Khalif, said in a statement late on Sunday.
Members of insurgent group al-Shabaab often post about their activities on TikTok and Telegram.
The decision comes days after Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said a military offensive against al-Shabaab aims to eliminate the al-Qaeda-linked group in the next five months.
TikTok, Telegram and 1XBet did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.
The order gave internet service providers until August 24 to comply.
1XBet is popular in Somalia for betting, especially on soccer matches. TikTok has been threatened with bans in the US over its alleged ties to the Chinese government. The state of Montana became the first to ban the app in May.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Somalia bans TikTok, Telegram and 1XBet
Last week Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said a military offensive against al-Shabaab aims to eliminate it in the next five months
Mogadishu — Somalia has banned TikTok, messaging app Telegram and online-betting website 1XBet to limit the spread of indecent content and propaganda, its communications minister said.
“The minister of communications orders internet companies to stop the aforementioned applications, which terrorists and immoral groups use to spread constant horrific images and misinformation to the public,” the minister, Jama Hassan Khalif, said in a statement late on Sunday.
Members of insurgent group al-Shabaab often post about their activities on TikTok and Telegram.
The decision comes days after Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said a military offensive against al-Shabaab aims to eliminate the al-Qaeda-linked group in the next five months.
TikTok, Telegram and 1XBet did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.
The order gave internet service providers until August 24 to comply.
1XBet is popular in Somalia for betting, especially on soccer matches. TikTok has been threatened with bans in the US over its alleged ties to the Chinese government. The state of Montana became the first to ban the app in May.
Reuters
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