First in government devices, then nationwide, joining countries such as the United States and Canada to ban the popular media app.
The National Security Council is considering a total ban on TikTok if the spying allegations are proven to be true, as what countries that banned it in their government devices, such as United States, Australia, Canada, and others, have accused.
Countries that have imposed a total ban on the app include Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and Syria.
RELATED: These countries have banned TikTok on government devices
“Yang mga apps na ‘yan, galing kasi sa China ‘yang mga apps na ‘yan, malaki ang posibilidad na nakukuha nila ‘yung mga data pati mga private details ng mga nagsu-subscribe dyan,” National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año said in a story to GMA News.
(TL: These apps originated in China. There is a large possibility that they are collecting data, including private details, to anyone who subscribes to it.)
Though initially banning the app first on government devices, he added that the NSC won’t hesitate a possibility of a total ban of the app nationwide. This means even us regular users can no longer install it if the ban takes place.
“Hindi pa naman natin ‘yan sinasabi [na iba-ban ang TikTok sa Pilipinas]. Doon na lang muna tayo sa mga pamahalaan, opisina na involved sa security matters. At kung mayroon tayong makitang ibang development saka tayo magsasagawa ng adjustment,” Año said.
(TL: We have not confirmed yet [that TikTok would be banned completely in the Philippines]. Let us start first with the government, offices where security matters the most. And if we could find other developments, then that will be the time to make adjustments).
The NSC revealed back in September that it was investigating a possibility of TikTok being banned in government offices, citing security concerns. The organization is continuing to assess the app to guarantee protection of Filipinos and the government system. Año also stated that the so-called “Chinese spying” may be behind the cyberattack on other departments, such as the PSA and PhilHealth.
Neither TikTok nor its parent company, Bytedance, have commented on the situation. TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms globally and in the Philippines. In the country alone, there are over 43.4 million people who use the app. Globally, the app has been downloaded about 3.5 billion times, and 246.9 million times in 2023 alone.
You must be logged in to post a comment.