New Zealand has announced plans to ban the popular social media app TikTok on devices linked to the country’s parliament. The decision follows similar moves in the United States and Australia, where the app has been the subject of security concerns.
In a statement, the office of the Speaker of the House, Trevor Mallard, said the ban was being implemented due to “security concerns” and would take effect from Wednesday. The ban applies to all devices connected to the parliamentary network, and includes phones, tablets and laptops.
The statement said the decision was made after consultation with security experts, and follows similar moves in the United States and Australia. “It is important that the parliamentary network is kept secure and free from external threats,” the statement said.
TikTok is a popular app used by millions of people around the world, with users creating and sharing short videos. However, it has been the subject of security concerns in recent months, with both the US and Australia banning the app from government devices due to concerns about potential data sharing with the Chinese government.