Taiwan’s Minister of Digital Affairs, Audrey Tang, has declared TikTok, the social media platform owned by a China-based firm, as a big nationwide safety menace, Central News company Taiwan reported.

Tang emphasised that the platform’s affiliation with international adversaries aligns with the United States’ perspective, which deems TikTok a possible threat to nationwide safety.

In a latest legislative listening to, Tang acknowledged, “Taiwan has classified TikTok as a dangerous product.” She defined that any product inclined to manage by international adversaries, both instantly or not directly, poses a menace to nationwide info and communication safety in accordance with Taiwan’s requirements, as reported by CNA Taiwan.

The transfer in Taiwan follows the same pattern within the United States. The US House of Representatives not too long ago handed a invoice focusing on ByteDance, TikTok’s mother or father firm, giving it a timeline to divest its US belongings or face a nationwide ban. This laws mirrors Taiwan’s issues about international affect over digital platforms.

Tang disclosed that Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) has proposed an modification to the Cyber Security Management Act, echoing apprehensions voiced within the U.S. House invoice relating to oblique international affect. This modification displays Taiwan’s dedication to safeguarding its digital infrastructure from exterior interference.

TikTok’s utilization is already restricted inside Taiwanese authorities businesses and their premises. However, Tang hinted at the opportunity of extending this ban to colleges, non-governmental businesses, and public areas, pending a choice by the Cabinet. She emphasised that such a choice would entail a complete evaluation, contemplating authorized processes and sensible feasibility.

“The final decision will be made by the Cabinet after extensive consideration of opinions in the various sectors,” the ministry asserted. It highlighted ongoing inter-ministerial discussions convened by the Cabinet to handle this situation successfully.

Additionally, the digital ministry disclosed its vigilance relating to the progress of the TikTok invoice within the US Congress, indicating a eager curiosity in worldwide developments shaping digital safety insurance policies.

In line with present laws established in 2019 and revised in 2022, any info and communication system or service with the potential to disrupt authorities operations or societal stability is assessed as a product endangering nationwide info and communication safety, CNA Taiwan reported. (ANI)