The icon for the video sharing TikTok app is seen on a smartphone, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in Marple Township, Pa. New Zealand lawmakers and different staff contained in the nation’s Parliament can be banned from having the TikTok app on their authorities telephones, officers mentioned Friday, March 17 2023.

Matt Slocum/AP

cover caption

toggle caption

Matt Slocum/AP

The icon for the video sharing TikTok app is seen on a smartphone, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in Marple Township, Pa. New Zealand lawmakers and different staff contained in the nation’s Parliament can be banned from having the TikTok app on their authorities telephones, officers mentioned Friday, March 17 2023.

Matt Slocum/AP

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand lawmakers and different staff contained in the nation’s Parliament can be banned from having the TikTok app on their authorities telephones, officers mentioned Friday.

The ban, which takes impact on the finish of the month, follows related strikes in lots of different nations.

However, New Zealand’s ban will apply solely to about 500 folks within the parliamentary advanced, to not all authorities staff like bans in the U.S. and Britain. Other New Zealand companies may resolve later to impose their very own bans.

Global concern concerning the app comes after warnings by the FBI and different companies that TikTok’s Chinese mum or dad firm ByteDance may share TikTok person knowledge — resembling searching historical past, location and biometric identifiers — with China’s authoritarian authorities.

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins mentioned he did not have TikTok on his cellphone.

“I’m not that hip and trendy,” he advised reporters.

The New Zealand transfer got here on the recommendation of presidency cybersecurity consultants, mentioned Parliamentary Service Chief Executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero.

He mentioned the app can be faraway from all gadgets with entry to the parliamentary community, though officers may make particular preparations for anyone who wanted TikTok to carry out their democratic duties.

“This decision has been made based on our own experts’ analysis and following discussion with our colleagues across government and internationally,” Gonzalez-Montero mentioned in an announcement. “Based on this information, the service has determined that the risks are not acceptable in the current New Zealand parliamentary environment.”

Hipkins mentioned cybersecurity recommendation got here from New Zealand’s intelligence company, the Government Communications Security Bureau. He mentioned New Zealand did not take a blanket strategy to all authorities staff, and it might be as much as every division or company to make cybersecurity selections.