Australia blocks TikTok from government cellphones

Posted On: April 9, 2023

KOMPAS.com – Australia joins the long list of countries that block TikTok on government cellphones. Previously, the United States (US), Canada, Great Britain and a number of other European countries implemented similar policies.

The government’s cellphone blocking policy for TikTok was handed down by Australia’s Attorney General Mark Dreyfus in an announcement which was posted on Tuesday (4/4/2023) on one of the official Australian government websites.

In the announcement, Dreyfus said the decision to block it was made after the Australian government received advice from a number of security and intelligence agencies regarding the dangers TikTok could pose.

“Today, I formally authorized the Secretary of the Ministry of the Attorney General to issue mandatory guidelines based on the rules of the Draft Security and Protection Policy, which effectively prohibit the TikTok app on (HP) devices owned to government and other related institutions,” Dreyfus said, as quoted by KompasTekno of Ministers.ag.gov.au, Wednesday (5/4/2023).

Read also : Japan plans to block TikTok

“These rules will come into effect as soon as possible,” Dreyfus added.

Dreyfus continued that the TikTok app could be installed on government cellphones. However, this requires permission, and even then, if the TikTok app is used for certain jobs, perhaps those related to government activities.

Apart from this, the installation of TikTok on government cell phones must also follow a number of security protocols that have been implemented by the Australian government.

So even though it is banned on government-owned cellphones, Dreyfus still allows TikTok to be installed on Australian-owned cellphones, whether for personal or business use.

However, the Australian public should remain vigilant and read the safety guidelines when using social media that have been implemented by security agencies there.

TikTok reply

KOMPAS.com/ Galuh Putri Riyanto

Illustration of the main TikTok app and the TikTok Now app.

On the blocking of TikTok on government cellphones, TikTok Australia and New Zealand chief executive Lee Hunte said his party was very disappointed with the move by the Australian government.

Because, Lee said the decision to block TikTok was politically motivated.

“Millions of our users in Australia deserve a government that makes decisions based on facts and treats all business people fairly, regardless of their country of origin,” Lee said, as summarized by CNN’s KompasTekno. , Wednesday (5/4/2023).

According to Lee, his party had already approached the Australian government on several occasions regarding the banning of TikTok, while stressing the fact that there was no evidence that TikTok could threaten the security of any country.

FYI, it’s not just Australia, there are several other countries that have blocked TikTok from government cellphones.

Previously, the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and European Union member countries also agreed to ban the use of TikTok on government cellphones to protect various sensitive government data.

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