Australia’s decision to ban the use of TikTok on official devices follows similar moves by other western nations due to concerns over the app’s security and data collection practices. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus made the announcement, stating that the decision was based on advice from intelligence and security agencies.
Australia’s ban is in line with measures implemented by other Five Eyes collective members such as the US, the UK, and Canada, who have also restricted the use of TikTok on official devices. Additionally, the EU and Belgium have also prohibited the use of the ByteDance-owned app on the devices of authorities.
Australia has also revised its Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) to reflect the potential security threat posed by TikTok. The directive notes that the app’s data collection practices could put non-corporate Commonwealth entities at risk, while exposure to extrajudicial directions from a foreign government may conflict with Australian law. As a result, the use of TikTok will be limited to “legitimate business reasons” on standalone devices.
TikTok has responded to the ban, stating that it is “disappointed” in the Australian government’s decision and accusing it of being politically motivated. The app’s General Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Lee Hunter, argues that there is no evidence to suggest that TikTok poses a security risk to Australians and that it should not be treated differently from other social media platforms. Hunter insists that TikTok’s millions of Australian users deserve a government that makes decisions based on facts and treats all businesses fairly, regardless of their country of origin.
Last month, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testified before the US Congress, attempting to assure lawmakers that Chinese authorities did not have access to US users’ data. Chew emphasized that ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, was not an agent of China or any other country. However, these reassurances have not been enough to convince many western nations, including Australia, that TikTok is safe for official use.