Somalia Bans TikTok, Telegram, And Online Betting Sites 1XBet, Here's Why!

Somali Minister of Communication, Jama Hassan Khalif (photo: twitter @SSCscope)

JAKARTA - Somalia has banned TikTok, messaging app Telegram, and online betting site 1XBet to limit the spread of indecent content and propaganda, the country's communications minister said.

"The communications ministry ordered internet companies to stop the applications mentioned above, which are used by terrorist groups and immoral groups to spread terrible images and misinformation to the public," Somali Communications Minister Jama Hassan Khalif said in a statement issued on Sunday.

Al Shabaab members of rebel groups often post about their activities on TikTok and Telegram.

This decision came days after Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced that the military offensive against al Shabaab was aimed at eliminating the group linked to al Qaeda within the next five months.

TikTok, Telegram, and 1XBet did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters in the report.

This order gives internet service providers until August 24 to comply. 1XBet is popular in Somalia to make bets, especially in football matches.

TikTok has been faced with the threat of bans in the United States for alleged links to the Chinese government. The state of Montana was the first to ban the app in May.