New Zealand blocks TikTok on MEPs’ mobile phones – due to “unacceptable risks”

New Zealand is following other Western countries and is taking action against the video app TikTok, which belongs to a Chinese company, for security reasons. Most recently, the FBI has also taken a stand against the video platform, expressing huge security concerns.

According to media reports, the Chinese app will be blocked from March 31 on all smartphones and other devices with access to parliament’s network, including MPs’ phones. This is reported by Radio New Zealand and other media.

In a statement, the President of the Parliamentary Service, Rafael Gonzalez-Montero, said the risks to the New Zealand Parliament in the current environment were “unacceptable”.

Ban in several countries

Chinese company Bytedance’s social media app has already been banned from government phones or mobile devices of MPs in Canada, Australia, the UK and the US.

“Global tensions are rising following the Chinese spy balloon incident earlier this year,” said New Zealand-based leading cybersecurity firm CyberCX, calling the TikTok ban necessary. “There are legitimate concerns around the world about the Chinese government’s access to and use of TikTok data,” it said in a statement.

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said he had not yet been informed of the parliamentary administration’s decision, according to Radio New Zealand. He himself does not use TikTok.

New Zealand has also taken action against Chinese tech group Huawei. Years ago, the New Zealand Secret Service banned local telecom companies from using Huawei hardware to set up the planned 5G mobile network. This represents a “significant network security risk,” it said.

Sources

(dsc/sda)