Australian government bans TikTok: Chinese app will be removed from all government phones over fears of Beijing spying
- TikTok will reportedly be banned from government agencies
- Anthony Albanese is expected to announce the ban soon
The social media app TikTok will reportedly be banned from all devices issued by the Australian government due to security concerns.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued the directive after a review by the Department of Home Affairs of the risks posed by the Chinese-owned app, according to The Australian.
The ban will apply to cellphones and other devices issued by the government to politicians and public servants.
It is understood that state and territory governments received a briefing on Monday about the federal ban and are expected to follow through on similar bans.
The ban is expected to be announced by the government either on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) has reportedly issued a directive to ban TikTok from all organs of the Australian government
The move comes on the heels of the United States, Canada and the European Union banning government employees from using TikTok on devices released from work.
Concerns about TikTok relate to possible data collection and access by the Chinese government under national laws that could compel companies to hand over information.
The federal opposition had called on the government to take action on national security concerns and follow other countries in imposing the ban.
ByteDance, which owns the social media app, has denied providing its user data to Beijing and claims TikTok poses no danger to Australians.
The ban in Australia comes after the US, Canada and the European Union banned government employees from owning the video app on out-of-work devices (stock issue)
TikTok responded to the ban late Monday night.
“If confirmed, we are extremely disappointed with this decision which, in our opinion, is driven by politics rather than reality,” a statement from Lee Hunter, general manager of TikTok Australia and New Zealand, read.
We are also disappointed that TikTok, and the millions of Australians who use it, have been left to learn of this decision through the media, despite our repeated offers to engage the government constructively on this policy.
“Again, … there is no evidence to suggest that TikTok is in any way a security risk to Australians nor should it be treated differently from other social media platforms.”
The AAP has contacted the government for comment.
More is coming.
