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TikTok Banned in Australia, Joining Growing List of Countries

Security and Privacy Concerns Drive Crackdown

London, April 4, 2023 (AP) - Australia has joined a growing number of governments banning TikTok from official devices, citing concerns about the popular video-sharing app's privacy and security practices.

The ban comes amidst increasing scrutiny of TikTok's ties to the Chinese government and allegations that the company collects and shares sensitive user data. The European Commission and NATO previously banned TikTok on corporate devices, and the app is currently prohibited for all users in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Russia.

Australia's ban affects all federal government departments and agencies. The decision was made after a review by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), the country's cyber security agency. The ASD found that TikTok posed a "high risk" to privacy and data security.

"The ASD's advice is that the risks associated with TikTok include the possibility of the app being used to track user location and activity, collect sensitive personal information, or manipulate content," a government spokesperson said.

TikTok has defended its practices, claiming that it does not share user data with the Chinese government and that it complies with all privacy laws in the countries it operates. However, concerns remain about the app's close ties to Beijing and its ownership by ByteDance, a Chinese company with close ties to the Communist Party.

The bans on TikTok are a sign of the growing global concern over the potential risks posed by Chinese technology companies. Governments are increasingly worried about the possibility of these companies being used to collect sensitive information or to spread propaganda or disinformation.

The ban on TikTok in Australia is likely to have a significant impact on the company's operations in the country. TikTok is one of the most popular social media apps in Australia, with over 12 million active users.

It is unclear whether the ban will be extended to private devices or whether it will apply to other social media apps owned by Chinese companies.

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