Dastan Bekeshev Supports Unblocking TikTok
In his open letter to the chairman of the GKNB, Dastan Bekeshev described the blocking of TikTok as "meaningless" and pointed out that it does not fulfill its security objectives; instead, it creates additional threats for citizens and the economy.
“The blocking of TikTok in the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic does not achieve the stated security goals and creates additional risks for citizens and the economy,” he stated in his address.
GKNB Head on the Dangers of TikTok
Jumgalbek Shabdanbekov, commenting on the situation in an interview, expressed concerns about the negative influence of social networks, especially TikTok, on children and youth. He noted that the platform is actively used for advertising prohibited substances, gambling, and violence.
According to the head of the GKNB, TikTok undermines family and traditional values, which can have detrimental consequences for youth and society as a whole.
In August 2023, the Ministry of Culture proposed to block TikTok in Kyrgyzstan, and in April 2024, access to the platform was officially restricted.
This decision was made due to violations by TikTok concerning Article 2-1 of the Law "On Measures to Prevent Harm to Children's Health," which regulates information harmful to child development.
According to Shabdanbekov, the blocking was a response to numerous complaints from citizens, NGOs, and deputies regarding the dissemination of content through TikTok that "does not correspond to the Kyrgyz mentality."
Despite the blocking, many users continue to use VPNs to bypass restrictions, and some advocate for lifting the ban, viewing TikTok as a platform for business and tourism development.
“The future of our children is more important than any social network. No digital platform, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, can surpass the importance of health, education, and moral development of the younger generation,” emphasized the chairman of the GKNB.
Issues with the Blocking
Dastan Bekeshev also pointed out that TikTok has improved user protection through content filters, complaint systems, and parental controls, which allows for addressing issues without a complete block. He noted that banning the platform does not solve the problem of harmful content, as similar materials are available on other services, and restricting just one platform seems impractical.
In the deputy's opinion, the blocking only promotes the spread of VPNs and circumvention of restrictions.
“I believe that the blocking was impractical, as similar content can be found on YouTube and Instagram. It makes no sense. Perhaps there are some geopolitical or political motives behind this. I called on the head of the GKNB to unblock TikTok, as it is beneficial for our entrepreneurs. For example, flower shops can advertise themselves, and Kyrgyz users can talk about interesting places in our country. Although Instagram is also good, TikTok's algorithms are more effective,” he noted to 24.kg.
Discussion on Unblocking TikTok
On February 19, the issue of blocking TikTok was raised at a meeting of the Ministry of Culture. Deputy Minister Marat Tagaev suggested reconsidering this decision, pointing out the absence of an authority in the country that interacts with social platforms after the dissolution of the Center for Monitoring the Information Environment. He added that despite the blocking, citizens, including youth, continue to use TikTok via VPN.
