Here is the list of countries that have already banned TikTok
TikTok is having serious problems for convincing governments and institutions that it does not pose a risk. to the safety of users.
Last Friday, New Zealand became the latest country to be added to the list of states and governmental organizations that ban the platform. on the mobiles and devices of official workers. Shortly before, on Thursday, the United Kingdom had also done so.
In general, they allege that there may be abuse of privacy and cybersecurity. by the popular social networking application TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. This company has been targeted by critics who allege that the Asian country’s government could access user data, such as their browsing history and location.
TikTok has long insisted that it doesn’t share data with the Chinese government and that its data is not stored in China. It also refutes allegations that it collects more user data than other social networking companies, and insists that it operates independently, with its own management team.
In fact, to reinforce these claims, it has recently announced that it will be opening two datacenters in Europe to comply with European data protection regulations. With this initiative, TikTok seeks to create a “secure enclave.” for the information of the more than 150 million users it has in the United Kingdom and the European Economic Area.
Despite TikTok’s claims, many states around the world remain wary of the platform and its ties to China. Here is a look at the countries and regions that have banned the platform in whole or in part.:
NEW ZEALAND.
It has been the latest country to join the list. They point out that the app may not be installed on legislators’ cell phones as of next April, as “the risks” that the data collected by TikTok will be used by the Chinese government “are not acceptable”.
UNITED KINGDOM
UK authorities announced Thursday that they will ban the Chinese-owned video app TikTok on government phones for security reasons, following similar moves by the United States and the European Union.
British Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden told Parliament that. the ban applies with immediate effect to working mobiles. and other devices used by ministers and public officials. He added that this is a “precautionary measure” and does not apply to personal equipment.
DENMARK
The Ministry of Defense of Denmark vetoed its workers from installing the social network TikTok on their mobile devices. officials citing security concerns.
The Danish Defense explained that the ban is also based on. the low use that this and other such applications have in the work plans of employees, who are urged to eliminate it as soon as possible if it has been installed.
The decision of the Ministry of Defense followed the recommendations of the Danish Cybersecurity Center (CFCS).. Earlier, it was the Justice and Climate and Energy portfolios that banned the use of this application by their employees.
LATVIA
Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs banned its officials from installing the TikTok app on their electronic work devices. citing “security reasons”.
“For security reasons, I have deleted my TikTok account. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia prohibits the use of this application on smart devices that have the Ministry’s mails installed.“, made known the head of this portfolio, Edgars Rinkevics, on his Twitter account.
From Foreign Affairs said that “the success” of this application is in its “high accuracy” to analyze and guess “what everyone wants to see” and which can be used to collect data on the diplomatic service.
UNITED STATES
The White House established last February 27 a 30-day deadline. for all U.S. federal agencies to remove the app TikTok from all government mobile devices, amid growing concern over security issues.
Congress, the White House itself and more than half of the U.S. states had already banned TikTok amid concerns that it Beijing could use its legal and regulatory powers to obtain users’ private data or to try to promote misinformation or narratives in China’s favor.
The U.S. armed forces banned the app on military devices and more than half of the 50 U.S. states have also banned the platform. on government-owned equipment.
The U.S. ban applies only to government devices, although some U.S. lawmakers have advocated a total ban. More than two-thirds of U.S. teens use TikTok..
China alleges that the White House-ordered bans reveal Washington’s own insecurities and represent an abuse of state power.
CANADA
Shortly after the U.S. announcement, Canada warned that government-owned devices should not use TikTok, claiming it presents an “unacceptable” risk to privacy and security. Employees will also be banned from downloading the app in the future.
EUROPEAN UNION
The three main bodies of the European Union – the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of the EU – have imposed bans on TikTok on the electronic devices of their staff. The European Parliament’s ban goes into effect this Monday, March 20.. It has recommended that legislators and staff remove the app from their personal devices.
TAIWAN
In December 2022, Taiwan imposed a ban on the use of TikTok in the public sector. after the FBI warned that TikTok posed a national security risk.. Government devices-including cell phones, tablets, and desktop computers-are not allowed to use software made in China, which includes applications such as TikTok, its Chinese equivalent Douyin or Xiaohongshu, an app on Chinese lifestyle content.
AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers banned TikTok and the game PUBG in 2022, arguing that. protecting young people from “being deceived.”.
INDIA
India imposed a 2020 ban on the use of TikTok and dozens of other apps Chinese apps, including messaging app WeChat, citing privacy and security concerns. The ban came shortly after a clash between Indian and Chinese troops in a disputed border area in the Himalayas which killed 20 Indian soldiers and wounded dozens more.
Chinese companies were given the opportunity to answer questions about privacy and security requirements, but the ban was made permanent in January 2021.
PAKISTAN
Pakistani authorities have temporarily banned TikTok. at least four times since October 2020citing concerns that the app promotes immoral content.
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