Jordan bans TikTok after police officer is shot dead in clashes over fuel prices
16 December 2022, 16:34
The country’s security directorate banned the social media platform after videos of protests were posted online.
Jordan announced it was imposing a “temporary ban” on the social media platform TikTok on Friday, a day after a police officer was killed during clashes with protesters that broke out over high fuel prices.
Truck drivers launched a strike last week to protest over high fuel prices in the Arab kingdom.
The strike and protests have spread to several cities across Jordan. Clashes erupted in multiple cities on Thursday, with police using tear gas to disperse them.
Videos from the strike and protests flooded TikTok and Jordan’s public security directorate said on Friday it was suspending the popular short-form video application “after its misuse and failing to deal with publications inciting violence and disorder”.
Internet service was also disrupted in the cities of Maan, where the police officer was killed, and Karak. Both have seen protests against fuel hikes.
On Friday, the truck drivers were still on strike but the protests have subsided.
Meanwhile, King Abdullah II of Jordan vowed to “deal firmly” with outlaws.
“We will not tolerate violence against our security personnel, who work day and night to protect Jordan and Jordanians,” he said in a statement released by the royal court.
The king spoke during a visit to extend condolences to the family of Abdul Razzaq Abdel Hafez Al Dalabeh, the deputy police director in the city of Maan who was fatally shot on Thursday.
Jordan is a close Western ally and has long been seen as an island of stability in a turbulent region.
Authorities did not say how long the ban would last.
