Australia has announced a ban on TikTok from all federal government-owned devices due to security concerns over potential data harvesting by China to advance its political agenda. This move puts Australia in line with other members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network, which includes Canada, the United States, Britain, and New Zealand, who have already banned the Chinese-owned video app. Similar bans have also been announced by France, Belgium, and the European Commission.
TikTok Disappointed with Australia’s Decision, Calls it “Driven by Politics”
TikTok has expressed disappointment with Australia’s decision, calling it “driven by politics, not by fact.” The ban will come into effect “as soon as practicable,” and exemptions will only be granted on a case-by-case basis with appropriate security measures in place. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has repeatedly denied that the app shares data or has connections with the Chinese Communist Party. TikTok’s Australia and New Zealand General Manager Lee Hunter said that TikTok should not be singled out as there is no evidence suggesting that it is a security risk to Australians.
Ban Risks Renewing Diplomatic Tensions with China
The ban on TikTok by the Australian government could potentially reignite diplomatic tensions with China, its largest trading partner, after relations had slightly improved under the new Labor government led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who took office in May. Previously, Australia’s ban on Huawei in 2018 during the rollout of its 5G network had already caused tensions with China. The investigation into the origin of COVID-19 further strained ties, leading to China imposing tariffs on Australian commodities. The ban on TikTok may exacerbate these tensions between the two countries.
Ban Includes Government-Owned Devices, Lawmakers Can Still Use TikTok on Personal Phones
Although Australian lawmakers can still utilize TikTok on their personal devices, a few have opted to delete their accounts, including Federal Government Services Minister Bill Shorten and Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews. Moreover, the state of Victoria will also prohibit the use of the app on government-owned phones. This ban underscores the mounting apprehensions that China may exploit ByteDance Ltd’s TikTok, based in Beijing, to accumulate users’ data to advance its political objectives, which could jeopardize the security interests of Western nations.
TikTok Faces Pressure Over Potential Chinese Influence and Influence on Children
TikTok confronts criticism for its influence on children as well as growing pressure over any potential Chinese influence. Chinese owners of TikTok have been pressured by President Joe Biden’s government to sell their holdings or risk being banned from the United States. According to TikTok, the app neither shares data nor has ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
Australia-China Trade Talks Held as Ban is Announced
The ban comes on the same day that Australian and Chinese officials held talks in Beijing in a bid to normalize trade, as the World Trade Organization prepares to release findings into an Australian complaint on barley tariffs. According to Trade Minister Don Farrell, progress is being made towards improving trade relations, but it will require some time to see significant results. The ban on TikTok will be implemented as soon as possible and exemptions will only be granted on a case-by-case basis with proper security protocols in place.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ban on TikTok by the Australian government on all federal government-owned devices highlights growing concerns about China’s potential use of the app to harvest users’ data for political gain, posing a threat to Western security interests. This move puts Australia in line with other U.S.-allied countries, including France, Belgium, and members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network. TikTok has denied any sharing of user data or connections with the Chinese Communist Party. This ban also risks straining trade relations between Australia and China, which have already been impacted by previous disputes over Huawei and the investigation into the origin of COVID-19. It remains to be seen how this decision will impact diplomatic relations between the two nations going forward.
