NSC Studying Possible TikTok Ban In Gov’t Security Sector
“If there is a need for banning, it would not be for public school teachers, it would not be for those in the civilian agencies,” National Security Council assistant director general Jonathan Malaya said.
The National Security Council (NSC) is studying the possibility of banning TikTok in the government’s security sector due to concerns the Chinese social media platform is being used for spying.
NSC assistant director general Jonathan Malaya said on Saturday, Sept. 9, the he will discuss the issue with National Security Adviser Eduardo Año.
Should it be implemented, Malaya said the ban should be limited to the government’s security sector.
“I would think that we should seriously consider for the security sector alone, not for the other civilian agencies of government,” he said during the Saturday News Forum at the Dapo Restaurant and Bar.
When asked to elaborate, Malaya said among these are the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police and intelligence agencies of the government.
“If there is a need for banning, it would not be for public school teachers, it would not be for those in the civilian agencies,” he said.
Among the countries that have banned TikTok on government devices are Australia, Belgium and Canada.
Malaya stressed any move to ban the social media platform needs careful study, noting the country has laws protecting freedom of speech and expression.
AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said they have implemented precautionary measures on the use of TikTok.
He said there were situations wherein their personnel and even visitors were asked to surrender their cell phones when entering certain military offices.
