MP proposes to open TikTok representative office in Kyrgyzstan

Deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh Marlen Mamataliev proposed to open an official representative office of TikTok service in Kyrgyzstan during a meeting of the Parliament on Thursday, Kabar reports. 

The Kyrgyz Parliament considered the bill on amendments to some legislative acts of the Kyrgyz Republic on combating illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogs and precursors among children and young people.

During the discussion focused on the lack of opportunities for government agencies to completely block drug advertising through Internet services, MP Mamataliev offered a way out. 

It is impossible to completely close channels in TikTok or Telegram that advertise drugs. To do this, it is necessary to reach out to creators of the services. For example, we have de jure closed TikTok, but de facto it continues to be widely used via VPN, especially by young people. In this regard, the idea of restricting young people from the negative influence of Tik-Tok has not achieved its purpose, he said.

The deputy recalled that TokTok director for Central Asia is a native of Kyrgyzstan and he offered to open a representative office in the country, to cooperate and respond to any signal from law enforcement agencies.

It was also proposed to open representative offices of TikTok, Telegram, Meta and others in Kyrgyzstan, which would give the country additional opportunities.

His counterpart Dastan Bekeshev also agreed that TikTok should be unblocked and the service should be used to promote tourism opportunities in Kyrgyzstan.

Earlier it was reported that Kyrgyzstan stiffens penalties for sexual crimes against persons with disabilities.