Why TikTok Should Be Banned

Globally, there is a significant trend toward restricting or banning TikTok due to national security, privacy, and ethical concerns.

These actions reflect a growing need to protect national security from perceived threats associated with Chinese-owned technology platform (TikTok).

In Nigeria, there has been a widespread apprehension regarding high presence of bandits and terrorists on Twitter. In most cases they flaunt monies they received from the victims they kidnapped with audacity.

This report outlines the global actions taken against TikTok, highlighting the widespread concerns over national security, data privacy, and ethical issues associated with the app. Many countries have either fully or partially banned TikTok due to fears of data misuse by the Chinese government and the potential spread of harmful content.

Countries with a Complete Ban on TikTok

1. Senegal: A full ban was implemented after allegations that the app was used to disseminate “hateful and subversive messages” by an opposition candidate. The ban remains until a system to delete individual accounts is established.

2. Somalia: In August 2023, Somalia banned TikTok, Telegram, and 1XBet due to concerns over content.

3. North Korea: TikTok is inaccessible to the majority due to severe internet restrictions.

4. Afghanistan: The Taliban government banned TikTok in April 2022, citing concerns about its influence on youth.

5. India: TikTok was banned in 2020 due to concerns over data theft and national security following a border clash with China.

6. Iran: TikTok, along with other major social media platforms, is banned under the country’s strict regulations.

7. Uzbekistan: TikTok has been inaccessible since July 2021 due to non-compliance with personal data protection laws.

8. Kyrgyzstan: Banned TikTok in August 2023, citing negative impacts on children’s growth and well-being.

Countries with partial or specific bans

1. Indonesia: Banned TikTok Shop in October 2023 due to violations of e-commerce laws.

2. Russia:While not yet fully banned, Russia has limited TikTok content to mostly local creations and is considering a full ban.

3. Australia:Banned TikTok on government devices in April 2023, but it remains accessible to the public.

4. Austria: Implemented a ban on TikTok for all government employees in May 2023.

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5. Canada:Banned TikTok on government-issued devices in February 2023 due to privacy concerns.

6. Denmark: Banned TikTok on Ministry of Defence work phones and implemented protocols for journalists’ use in March 2023.

7. Estonia: Banned TikTok on state officials’ work phones in March 2023.

8. European Union: Banned TikTok on devices used by employees of the European Parliament, European Commission, and E.U. Council.

9. France: Banned TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram on government devices in March 2023.

10. United Kingdom: Banned TikTok on government-provided devices in March 2023.

11. United States: Banned TikTok on military, congressional, and federal devices, with nearly half of the states implementing similar bans on state-owned devices.

12. Ireland:Banned TikTok on government devices in April 2023.

13. Belgium:Banned TikTok on all government devices in March 2024.

14. Taiwan: Banned Chinese-made software, including TikTok, on government devices in December 2022.

15. Latvia: Banned TikTok on official phones of the Foreign Ministry in March 2023.

16. Malta:Restricted access to TikTok and other non-government applications on government-provided phones.

TikTok, has increasingly become a tool for terrorist organizations to recruit new members and spread their ideologies. A notable example is the presence of Boko Haram on TikTok, where they actively engage with followers and promote extremist content.

Boko Haram terrorist organization has an active page on TikTok with over 7,900 followers. This account is used to upload radical preaching and videos of Muhammed Yusuf, the founder of Boko Haram, to attract and recruit new followers.

The account primarily focuses on disseminating extremist ideologies and radical teachings. By leveraging the reach and engagement features of TikTok, Boko Haram is able to target a younger, more impressionable audience, which increases the risk of radicalization and recruitment into their ranks.

Implications

The use of TikTok by Boko Haram and similar organizations poses a significant threat as it provides them with a platform to reach a vast audience globally. The content uploaded is designed to appeal to potential recruits, making it easier for these groups to spread their radical ideologies and recruit members.

The dissemination of extremist content can lead to the radicalization of individuals who consume such material. The ease of access and the widespread use of social media platforms like TikTok make it a potent tool for terrorists to indoctrinate vulnerable individuals.

By Zagazola