Australian Government Bans TikTok on State Devices

The use of the TikTok app will be banned on all devices owned by the Australian government, local media reports.

"After receiving advice from intelligence and security agencies, I have today authorized the Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department to issue a mandatory order for security policy that prohibits the TikTok app on devices issued by departments and agencies of the Commonwealth," said Australian Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus.

He noted that the ban on TikTok will be implemented "as soon as possible," adding that there may be specific exemptions based on certain grounds.

Thus, Australia will follow the example of countries such as the USA, Canada, the UK, and New Zealand, which have also banned the use of the Chinese app on state phones. The authorities of these countries believe that the Chinese government could use the app to collect user data.

At the same time, the head manager of TikTok Australia and New Zealand, Lee Hunter, expressed that he is "extremely disappointed" by the decision, which is "driven by politics rather than facts."

"We are also disappointed that TikTok and the millions of Australians using it learned about this decision through the media, despite our numerous invitations for constructive cooperation with the government," Hunter's statement read.

"Our millions of Australian users deserve a fact-based government that treats all businesses fairly, regardless of their country of origin," he added.