The Philippines, one of the countries with the highest number of TikTok users, is weighing the possibility of limiting the app’s use in the wake of potential cyber espionage concerns.
In a recent radio interview on Oct. 28, National Security Council (NSC) Director General Eduardo Año discussed potential restrictions on TikTok, especially if it’s found that the app, owned by China’s ByteDance, is used for cyber espionage. “There’s a significant possibility that they are accessing data and private details of subscribers,” Año commented, noting the app’s Chinese origin.
However, Año pointed out that a complete ban on the app isn’t immediately on the cards. Initially, the app might face restrictions in government offices, mirroring measures adopted by countries like the United States and Australia, which prohibited TikTok on government-issued devices.
“We aren’t saying that we’ll ban TikTok in the Philippines just yet. Let’s start with government offices involved in security matters. We’ll make adjustments if we observe any concerning developments,” Año elaborated.
His concerns come in the backdrop of cyber threats, mentioning recent hacking incidents involving Philippine entities such as PSA and PhilHealth. He stressed the importance of being prepared for such threats.
Several nations, including India, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, and Taiwan, have already banned TikTok citing national security issues.
With 43.4 million users, the Philippines ranks among the top countries on TikTok’s global user list.