Australia banned TikTok on Tuesday from all federal government-owned gadgets over safety considerations, turning into the most recent US-allied nation to take motion in opposition to the Chinese-owned video app.
The ban underscores rising worries that China may use the Beijing-based firm, owned by ByteDance, to reap customers’ knowledge to advance its political agenda, undermining Western safety pursuits.
It additionally dangers renewing diplomatic pressure between Australia and its largest buying and selling companion after issues eased considerably since Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took workplace in May on the head of a Labour authorities.
TikTok mentioned it was extraordinarily disenchanted by Australia’s resolution, calling it “driven by politics, not by fact”.
The ban will come into impact “as soon as practicable”, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus mentioned in an announcement, including that exemptions would solely be granted on a case-by-case foundation and with acceptable safety measures in place.
With Australia’s ban, all members of the so-called Five Eyes intelligence-sharing community – which consists of Australia, Canada, the United States, Britain and New Zealand – have banned the app from authorities gadgets. France, Belgium and the European Commission have introduced related bans.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, in testimony earlier than the US Congress final month, repeatedly denied the app shares knowledge or has connections with the Chinese Communist Party.
TikTok’s Australia and New Zealand General Manager Lee Hunter mentioned TikTok shouldn’t be singled out.
“There is no evidence to suggest that TikTok is in any way a security risk to Australians and should not be treated differently to other social media platforms,” Hunter mentioned in an announcement.
The Australian newspaper late on Monday reported Albanese had agreed to the ban after a assessment by the Home Affairs division.
Dreyfus confirmed the federal authorities had not too long ago acquired a “Review into Foreign Interference through Social Media Applications” report and that its suggestions remained into consideration.
Trade talks ‘going effectively’
The ban comes on the day Australian and Chinese officers held talks in Beijing in a bid to normalise commerce because the World Trade Organisation prepares to launch findings into an Australian grievance on barley tariffs.
“Things are going well, but of course, it’ll take some time to turn this ship around,” Trade Minister Don Farrell advised Sky News, referring to prospects for enhancing commerce relations.
In 2018, Australia banned China’s Huawei from offering gear in the course of the rollout of its 5G community, riling China. Ties soured additional after Canberra referred to as for an impartial investigation into the origin of COVID-19.
China responded by imposing tariffs on Australian commodities.
Australian lawmakers can nonetheless use TikTok on private telephones however some, together with federal Government Services Minister Bill Shorten and Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews, have determined to delete their accounts.
Victoria state can even ban the app on state government-owned telephones, a authorities spokesperson advised Reuters.
While TikTok comes beneath mounting strain over the potential Chinese affect over the platform, it additionally faces criticism over its affect on kids.
TikTok has mentioned the administration of President Joe Biden demanded its Chinese house owners divest their stakes or face a possible US ban.
© Thomson Reuters 2023
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