October 14, 2024
Opposition spokesman for home affairs James Paterson says TikTokcould pose a "national security risk" due to its link with theChinese Communist Party, calling on the Albanese government to take moreleadership into how it can manage potential threats.
In the US, ByteDance, the Chinese-owned parent company of TikTok, has untilJanuary 19 to sell the popular social media platform before it is bannedoutright in America, however the app has taken the US government to court andsays the forced sale is unconstitutional and would stifle the speech of TikTokand its 170 million American users.
While Mr Paterson has not called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese toinstitute a similar policy, he said more should be done to mitigate itspotential "national security and foreign interference risk".
"The reason why that is important is Byte Dance is subject to the controlof Chinese Communist Party, particularly in relation to article 17 of theintelligence law which requires the agencies to co-operate and keep it secret,"he told the ABC.
"TikTok will pose a national security risk and particularly a foreigninterference risk in our democracy.
"The worrying thing is you might end up with a safer version of TikTok inthe US and a more dangerous version in Australia because we have been unwillingto take that action." In separate legal action, 14 US attorneys generalare also suing the platform alleging it made false claims it was safe for youngpeople, despite it being created with the intention to ensure young peoplewould become addicted to the app.
Documents filed by the Kentucky Attorney-General revealed TikTok executiveswere aware features like time-management tools would have little affect inlowering screen time but were still released and advertised by the platform.
Mr Albanese has said there are no plans to ban TikTok for civilians, howeverthe app is currently banned on government devices.
