Due to security concerns, New Zealand announced on Friday that it would restrict the use of the video-sharing app TikTok on equipment connected to the country’s parliamentary network.
With this decision, New Zealand joined a growing list of countries that have restricted TikTok on equipment used by the government. Around the world, people are getting more and more worried about the possibility that ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent business, could give the Chinese government access to users’ contact information and location information.
Last week’s demand by the Biden administration for TikTok’s Chinese owners to sell their shares in the company to avoid a U.S. ban served as a reminder of just how serious those worries are.
By the end of March, any devices in New Zealand that have access to the network used by the parliament will be prohibited from using TikTok. Rafael Gonzalez-Montero, the chief executive of the Parliamentary Service, explained in an email to Reuters that the choice was made following consultations with cybersecurity specialists, debates within the government, and consultations with other nations. The Service determined that the risks are unacceptable in the current New Zealand Parliamentary situation based on this information, he said.
For individuals who need the program to perform their jobs, special arrangements can be established, he continued. An inquiry for comment from Reuters was not immediately answered by ByteDance.
New Zealand operates differently than other countries, according to Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, who was speaking at a press conference. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the New Zealand Defense Force both announced on Friday that they had already enacted prohibitions on TikTok on work devices. A New Zealand Defence Force official told Reuters in an email that the action was taken as a “precautionary approach to ensure the safety and security” of the employees.
Countries That Have Completely Or Partially Banned TikTok
United Kingdom
TikTok was immediately prohibited from government-issued phones in the UK, and the National Cyber Security Centre was tasked with examining the dangers associated with unauthorized access to and use of sensitive data as well as the possible exposure of government data through social media apps.
India
In June 2020, the government imposed a total ban on TikTok and hundreds of other Chinese developers’ apps across all platforms, citing the threat they posed to the security and integrity of the nation.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan is attempting to prohibit PUBG and TikTok after the Taliban said both platforms were making Afghan teenagers “astray.”
Belgium
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announced on March 10 that federal government employees will no longer be permitted to use TikTok on official phones.
Canada
The country has prohibited TikTok on smartphones provided by the government due to security issues.
Taiwan
TikTok and a few other Chinese apps were banned from state-owned devices, and in December 2022 a probe into the social media app was started because of possible unlawful activities on the island.
United States
A bill to prohibit the well-known app in the United States was submitted by lawmakers from both of the country’s major parties in early March. TikTok was previously prohibited on federal devices under legislation passed by Congress in December 2022.
European Commission and European Parliament
Due to security concerns, the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, has issued an order prohibiting the use of the well-known Chinese app TikTok on the phones of its employees. Separately, the app was prohibited on staff phones at the European Parliament.
