Taipei
Taiwan’s Minister of Digital Affairs, Audrey Tang, has declared TikTok, the social media platform owned by a China-based company, as a significant national security threat, sources reported.
Tang emphasised that the platform’s association with foreign adversaries aligns with the United States’ perspective, which deems TikTok a potential risk to national security.
In a recent legislative hearing, Tang stated, ‘Taiwan has classified TikTok as a dangerous product.’ She explained that any product susceptible to control by foreign adversaries, either directly or indirectly, poses a threat to national information and communication security according to Taiwan’s standards, as reported by sources.
The US House of Representatives recently passed a bill targeting ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, giving it a timeline to divest its US assets or face a nationwide ban. This legislation mirrors Taiwan’s concerns about foreign influence over digital platforms.
Tang disclosed that Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) has proposed an amendment to the Cyber Security Management Act, echoing apprehensions voiced in the U.S. House bill regarding indirect foreign influence. This amendment reflects Taiwan’s commitment to safeguarding its digital infrastructure from external interference.
TikTok’s usage is already restricted within Taiwanese government agencies and their premises. However, Tang hinted at the possibility of extending this ban to schools, non-governmental agencies, and public spaces, pending a decision by the Cabinet.
