Censorship of TikTok
Many countries have imposed past or ongoing restrictions on the video sharing social network TikTok. Bans from government devices usually stem from national security concerns over potential access of data by the Chinese government.[1] Other bans have cited children's well-being and offensive content such as pornography.[2]
This article is about censorship of TikTok by governments and organizations. For censorship by TikTok itself, see Censorship by TikTok.Africa[edit]
Senegal[edit]
In August 2023, Senegal blocked TikTok following the arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. In October, the country said it wants to sign a comprehensive regulatory agreement with the platform before lifting its ban.[3]
Asia[edit]
Armenia[edit]
In October 2020, TikTok users in Armenia reported a loss of app functionality, although it has not been confirmed whether this was the result of any intervention by the Armenian government in response to the use of the app by Azerbaijani sources to spread misinformation during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.[8]
Azerbaijan[edit]
On 27 September 2020, citizens of Azerbaijan noticed social media restrictions across an array of platforms, including TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and others. NetBlocks confirmed the restrictions on social media and communication platforms through Twitter.[9] According to Azerbaijan's Ministry of Transport, Communications and Technology, these restrictions were issued in an attempt to "prevent large-scale provocations from Armenia," during the longstanding Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.[10]
On 19 September 2023, Azerbaijan restricted access to TikTok again, due to 2023 Nagorno-Karabakh clashes.[11][12]
Bangladesh[edit]
In November 2018, the Bangladeshi government blocked the TikTok app's Internet access as part of Bangladesh's crackdown on the removal of pornography and gambling sites. "I want to create a safe and secure internet for all Bangladeshis, including children. And this is my war against pornography. And this will be a continuous war," said Mustafa Jabbar, Posts and Communications Officer of Bangladesh.[13]
In August 2020, the government of Bangladesh requested that TikTok remove 10 videos from the platform that were uploaded from the country.[13] "The TikTok authorities have told the government they will take down 'offensive' videos uploaded from Bangladesh," said the Minister of Post and Telecommunication of Bangladesh. As a result, the Bangladeshi government cleared the TikTok ban.
In June 2021, Law and Life Foundation, a human rights organization, issued a legal notice to the Bangladeshi government that sought the prohibition of "dangerous and harmful" applications such as TikTok, PUBG, and Free Fire, but failed to obtain a response. Soon thereafter, Law and Life Foundation's lawyers filed a petition with the High Court, sharing the organization's concerns. In August 2020, the High Court encouraged the Bangladeshi government to prohibit "dangerous and harmful" applications such as TikTok, PUBG, and Free Fire to "save children and adolescents from moral and social degradation."[14]
China (mainland)[edit]
Tiktok on devices brought into mainland China does not function on the local networks, instead requiring the Chinese counterpart Douyin, although a VPN can circumvent the restrictions.[15]
North America[edit]
Canada[edit]
In February 2023, following a review of TikTok from the Chief Information Officer of Canada, the Canadian government banned the app on all government-issued devices.[81] In September 2023, the Canadian federal government commenced a national security review of TikTok under the Investment Canada Act.[82]
Shortly thereafter, all the provincial and territorial governments of Canada banned the app on government-issued devices, including Alberta,[83] British Columbia,[84] Manitoba,[85] New Brunswick,[86] Newfoundland and Labrador,[87] Northwest Territories,[88] Nova Scotia,[89] Nunavut,[88] Ontario,[90] Prince Edward Island,[91] Quebec,[92] Saskatchewan,[93] and Yukon.[94]
Oceania[edit]
Australia[edit]
On 7 March 2023, the Canberra Times reported that 68 Australian federal agencies had banned TikTok on work-related mobile devices. Liberal Party Senator James Paterson called for a federal ban on all government-related devices.[109]
Some state governments have considered banning the app on official government devices. On 14 March 2023, New South Wales was the first state to consider a ban on the app,[110] followed by both Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory three days later.[111][112] Victoria has also considered a ban on the app on the phones of government workers.[113]
On 21 March 2023, the federal government began a review of the app.[114] The review is expected to ban TikTok on all official government devices. It has been reported that some politicians are using burner phones due to the ban.[115]
On 4 April 2023, TikTok was banned on all government devices, including the mobile phones of politicians.[116]
New Zealand[edit]
On 17 March 2023, the New Zealand Parliamentary Service banned TikTok on devices connected to Parliament, citing cybersecurity concerns and advice from the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), the country's signals intelligence agency.[117][118] The GCSB's Minister, Andrew Little, had initially ruled out a ban on TikTok.[119]