Which countries have banned TikTok and why? UK, US and EU laws explained

TikTok is at the center of international security concerns as a growing number of countries seek to ban the short video-sharing app.

The app, where users often post or scroll through seconds long videos, has become one of the most popular in the world with over a billion users.

Despite its popularity, many countries have decided to ban the app on government-issued devices, with some blocking access to the app altogether.

The concern revolves around the app’s ability to collect data from users and whether it can share information with the Chinese government.

But TikTok called these moves to ban the app politically motivated and stressed that any security concerns are completely unfounded.

Why are governments banning TikTok?

The main concerns for most countries are security, privacy and China.

Owned by Chinese company ByteDance, many governments around the world are concerned about whether the app can collect user data and whether it is independent of Beijing.

Governments and regulators fear that user data could be made available to the Chinese government and used for intelligence gathering. In recent years, Chinese laws have required companies to hand over data to the government upon request, raising concerns.

Many fear that data such as browsing history or personal user information such as location data could fall into the hands of the Chinese government and be used to promote propaganda and disinformation.

What was TikTok’s response?

TikTok and parent company ByteDance have strongly denied allegations from governments around the world that have raised concerns about security and privacy. They have long claimed that they operate independently and that any government concerns about ties to Beijing power are unfounded.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew told the US House Committee on Energy and Commerce in March 2023 that the company prioritizes the safety of its young users and denies allegations that the app poses a national security risk.

As the social media company comes under increasing fire in the US, a representative for the company, Brooke Oberwetter, said the status of TikTok has been discussed publicly in a way that is separate from the facts of that agreement and what we already have. reaches. .’

TikTok has also labeled the bans as politically motivated and categorically denies sharing data with Beijing.

CEO Shou Zi Chew, told a US House Committee in March 2023 that TikTok prioritizes the safety of its young users and denies allegations that the app poses a national security risk

TikTok has labeled the bans as politically motivated and categorically denies sharing data with Beijing

Who Banned TikTok?

From the US to Europe and Asia, lawmakers around the world have all taken action to restrict access to TikTok.

In the UK, TikTok is banned on government devices. A review of the app found that there could be “a risk around how sensitive government data is accessed and used by certain platforms.”

“This is a precautionary measure. We know that TikTok is already being used to a limited extent by the government, but it is also good cyber hygiene,” Government Minister Oliver Dowden told MPs.

The US Congress, Army, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard have ordered all officials to remove the app from their phones. Two dozen states have also banned the app on government-issued devices.

But a ban could be imposed on all TikTok users in the US if the app is not sold to another company soon. Democrats and Republicans drafted bipartisan legislation last year proposing to ban the app nationwide.

The European Union has banned the app for civil servants working in its parliament, committee and council. It also strongly urged staff and MEPs to remove the app from their personal devices.

A rally is held to defend TikTok with the app’s supporters pictured outside the US Capitol, Washington DC, March 22, 2023

France has banned not only TikTok but all recreational apps like Netflix on government devices for its officials. The Netherlands is implementing a similar plan with the intention of only allowing pre-approved apps on official devices.

Taiwan, Denmark, Canada, Belgium and New Zealand have all taken similar measures for government-issued devices.

In India, the app is blocked nationwide. Apps like WeChat have also been banned due to concerns about China.

Pakistan has temporarily banned the app four times over beliefs that the app promotes immoral content. The Taliban in Afghanistan also banned the app last year due to a similar belief.

Is TikTok available in China?

Perhaps surprisingly, China has also imposed heavy restrictions on the short video app.

As it has done before for YouTube, Facebook and WhatsApp, China has created a separate version of the app called Douyin.

For young people under the age of 14, the app is limited to just 40 minutes a day between 6am and 10pm.