Austria is moving to join a growing list of countries that restrict the use of TikTok on official devices. The decision affects public employees and marks another setback for the Chinese owned app by ByteDance. Similar restrictions already apply in several countries, including significant measures in the United States, France, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner explained that work will be prohibited on mobile devices issued by the state. He added that private phones used outside the state network can still access the app, underscoring the policy as a security measure rather than a blanket ban across all devices.
The core reason behind Austria’s veto mirrors what several allies have cited: safety. Vienna says it has implemented recommendations from an inter-ministerial working group tasked with strengthening the protection of critical telecommunications and safeguarding public networks from potential risks linked to the platform.
Don’t be afraid of Chinese espionage
Across the world, more governments are adopting restrictions as concerns grow about a possible connection between TikTok and China that could compromise user privacy. Regulators worry that the platform might be used to monitor or influence audiences and opponents alike, especially when public networks are involved.
In the European Union, the European Commission and the Council of Europe have both signaled caution. TikTok remains widely used, with roughly 125 million EU citizens engaging with the app each month, a figure that climbs to about 150 million when considering the United States. These numbers reflect the platform’s broad reach and the heightened interest from lawmakers that it merits greater scrutiny.
In mid March, Shou Zi Chew, TikTok’s chief executive, testified before the United States Congress as part of ongoing discussions about potential restrictions and national security concerns. While the testimony aimed to clarify the company’s stance and reassure lawmakers, many questions about data handling, access, and the platform’s Chinese ownership continued to surface. The public conversation around regulation has intensified, with policymakers weighing the balance between user safety, freedom of expression, and the risks cited by security agencies.
Analysts note that the debate is unlikely to subside soon. Jurisdictions across North America and Europe are examining ways to regulate or restrict access to the app within government networks, while still allowing private individuals to decide how they engage with TikTok on personal devices. The evolving policy landscape emphasizes transparency, data governance, and ongoing collaboration with tech platforms to address security concerns without stifling innovation.