Australia has joined other Western nations in banning the use of TikTok on government devices due to increasing concerns that the Chinese-owned video app poses a security risk. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus announced the directive on Tuesday, stating that it would be implemented "as soon as practicable" after advice from intelligence and security agencies.
Australia's decision puts it in line with allies from the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, with the US, UK, and Canada already announcing similar restrictions. Norway, the European Parliament, and NATO have also implemented bans on the app, and New Zealand has ordered its removal from all devices with access to the legislature.
TikTok's general manager in Australia and New Zealand expressed disappointment at the decision, while stressing that the company had repeatedly reached out to the Australian government for constructive engagement, and maintaining that there was no evidence to suggest the app posed a security risk.