Taiwan declares TikTok national secuirty threats

According to a report by the Central News Agency Taiwan, Taiwan has officially labeled TikTok as a significant threat to national security, following in the footsteps of the United States, which recently passed a bill aimed at banning the Chinese-owned social media platform.

Audrey Tang, Taiwan's Minister of Digital Affairs, stated that TikTok's connections with foreign adversaries are in line with the concerns raised by the United States regarding potential national security risks.

In a recent statement, Tang emphasized that Taiwan has categorized TikTok as a "dangerous product." She explained that any product susceptible to control by foreign entities, whether directly or indirectly, poses a threat to national information and communication security, as per Taiwan's standards.

This decision by Taiwan echoes similar actions taken in the United States. The recent bill passed by the US House of Representatives targeted ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, giving it a timeframe to sell off its US assets or face a nationwide ban. Taiwan's proposed amendment to the Cyber Security Management Act reflects its commitment to addressing concerns about foreign influence over digital platforms.

Currently, TikTok's usage is restricted within Taiwanese government agencies and premises. However, Tang hinted at the possibility of extending this ban to schools, non-governmental organizations, and public spaces, pending a decision by the Cabinet. She emphasized that such a decision would involve a thorough evaluation, taking into account legal processes and practical considerations.

The final decision regarding the ban will be made by the Cabinet after carefully considering input from various sectors, as confirmed by the Ministry of Digital Affairs. Ongoing inter-ministerial discussions are underway to effectively address this issue.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Digital Affairs highlighted its monitoring of the progress of the TikTok bill in the US Congress, indicating a keen interest in international developments that influence digital security policies.

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