Australia Chinese social network bans TikTok from use on mobile phones and government devices Attorney General Mark Dreyfus said Tuesday for cybersecurity reasons and fears of possible “foreign interference”.
The Attorney General said he made the decision “after receiving advice from the intelligence and security agencies”, following the latest statement by intelligence service director Mike Burgess, which pointed to the existence of social networks before a Senate committee. Used to “spread disinformation”.
Dreyfus added that the ban would come into effect “as soon as possible” and explained that his office would only allow exceptions to the installation of this short video app “on a case-by-case basis and with adequate security measures”. risk of data theft. For private users and companies, the attorney general has recommended “accessing advice” posted on a government portal.
Australia’s move follows in the footsteps of the US other countries and blocs that place restrictions on its use TikTok Such as the United States, New Zealand, United Kingdom and European Union due to the fear that Chinese authorities may violate the right to privacy through the data collected in this application.
Launched in September 2016 by the Chinese company ByteDance, TikTok, the application that allows you to shoot short videos with millions of views on mobile devices, is among the favorites of young people around the world for distraction or getting news information.
Australia has maintained strained relations with China since 2018, when the previous Conservative government tried to normalize it as a result of vetoing Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE from joining the ocean nation’s 5G network. The ocean country also enforces strict laws and security measures against foreign interference, with a long-time focus on Beijing amid suspicions that the Asian giant is trying to influence its domestic policy. In February, the Australian Government decided to remove around 1,000 security cameras manufactured by Chinese companies Hikvision and Dahua, linked to the Chinese Communist Party, from its buildings, despite the risk of being used for spying.