Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq’s Minister of Communications, Hiyam Al-Yasiri, has once again sparked a national debate by renewing calls for a potential ban on TikTok, a social media platform that has grown immensely popular across the country.
With 34.3 million users in Iraq, according to the Digital Media Center (DMC), TikTok remains the most-used social platform, particularly among the country’s youth and burgeoning community of influencers and content creators.
Al-Yasiri cited “thousands of appeals from Iraqi families” as the driving force behind her renewed stance, arguing that the platform contains content “inconsistent with the values of our people and our families.”
Her latest remarks echo a similar appeal made in March 2024, when she criticized the platform for contributing to the “disintegration of the Iraqi social fabric” and lacking in educational benefit.
The Ministry of Communications has stated that it would move forward with a ban should the Iraqi Parliament issue a formal mandate.
While no legislation has yet been introduced, Al-Yasiri’s remarks have reignited a broader discussion about the balance between digital access and cultural preservation in Iraq.
Despite the push for a ban, the proposal faces significant opposition from civil society voices and digital rights advocates.
Fadel Al-Gharawi, head of the Strategic Center for Human Rights in Iraq, acknowledged the presence of “indecent content” on TikTok but emphasized that freedom of expression remains a cornerstone of human rights—albeit not an unrestricted one.
“Freedom of expression is a fundamental right internationally, but it must be exercised without violating public morals,” Al-Gharawi said in a statement. He argued that rather than pursuing an outright ban, Iraq should consider adopting regulatory frameworks to monitor and filter harmful content—an approach employed by many other countries.
Al-Gharawi urged the government to create a safer and more accountable digital environment instead of implementing a blanket ban. “The solution lies not in silencing millions, but in pruning the problematic elements,” he said.
TikTok, launched globally in 2016, has since surpassed 4.5 billion downloads and remains a dominant player in the world of short-form video content.
In Iraq, it has become a key outlet for creative expression, political satire, and even entrepreneurial marketing. For many Iraqi youth, the platform represents both a source of entertainment and a potential livelihood.
The growing tension between societal values and digital freedoms underscores the complexity of the issue. A ban would not only disrupt the daily digital habits of millions but could also stifle the creative economy that many Iraqis rely on.
At the same time, concerns about harmful content and moral decay continue to resonate deeply with conservative segments of Iraqi society.
As the Iraqi government weighs its options, the fate of TikTok remains uncertain. Whether Parliament will take formal steps toward a ban or pursue a middle path through regulation could define the country’s digital policy direction for years to come.