The Somali Minister of Communications, Jama Hasan Khalif, announced that the country has banned TikTok, the messaging app Telegram, and the online betting site One X Bet to curb the spread of inappropriate content and obscene propaganda. Khalif stated in a statement late Sunday night that "the Minister of Communications orders internet companies to halt the aforementioned applications, which are continuously used by terrorists and ethically deviant groups to spread horrific images and mislead the public."
Telegram's administration responded with a statement saying: "Telegram continuously deletes terrorist propaganda in Somalia and around the world." They added that they are "actively combating" harmful content on the platform. Members of the Al-Shabaab militant group frequently post materials about their activities on TikTok and Telegram.
This decision comes days after Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced a military offensive against Al-Shabaab, linked to Al-Qaeda, aimed at eliminating the group over the next five months. The directive gives internet service providers until August 24 to implement the ban. One X Bet has gained popularity in Somalia, particularly for football matches. TikTok faces potential bans in the United States due to its alleged ties to the Chinese government, and Montana became the first state to ban the app in May.
