An iraqi man shows a post on a social media platform on February 12, 2023 in the capital Baghdad, with a picture of TikTok celebrity Om Fahed, announcing that she has been jailed by the authorities. - A new government campaign aims to cleanse social media platforms of content that breaches Iraqi "mores and traditions", the interior ministry announced in January. A specialised committee now scours TikTok, YouTube and other popular platforms for clips deemed offensive by many in the largely conservative and patriarchal society. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
Popular app targeted by regulators
Clock ticking for content creators as Iraq cracks down on TikTok transactions
BAGHDAD – The Central Bank of Iraq has directed all licensed banks and non-banking financial institutions to halt both incoming and outgoing financial transfers for TikTok agents within the country. This decision, based on a request from the Ministry of Communications, aims to curtail transactions associated with the popular social media platform.
As a result, Iraqi TikTok users will experience a reduction in income generated through the app’s gifting system, where users send virtual gifts—purchased with “Coins”—to content creators. These virtual gifts can be converted into real currency, providing a revenue stream for many users.
The suspension of TikTok payments is expected to have a notable impact on the platform’s user base in Iraq, particularly those who have monetized their content through virtual gifts. It remains to be seen how TikTok and its users will adapt to these new regulations.
As of early 2024, TikTok had approximately 31.95 million users aged 18 and above in Iraq.