Albanese government leaves the door open to ban TikTok

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Australia could follow the US’s lead and ban TikTok over concerns about its Chinese owners, with the Albanese government leaving the door open to reform.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil is closely watching the outcome of a bill introduced by the Republicans in the US calling on TikTok to cut ties with its Chinese owners or risk being banned from operating in the US.

“We are monitoring the progress of the bill in the US and will take additional action if and when relevant agencies advise it is appropriate to do so,” a spokesman for Ms O’Neil said.

“The Albanese government has taken strong action in line with advice from our agencies to restrict access to TikTok on devices used to handle sensitive information.”

Albanese government leaves the door open to ban TikTok

Minister for Home Affairs Clare O’Neil is weighing up whether Australia should follow the US lead and ban TikTok. Pictures: Getty Images/News Corp

Opposition national security spokesman James Paterson said Australia “cannot afford to be left behind” on the issue of national security.

“The Albanese government should be preparing legislation today which will give Australians that same protection so that we can swiftly legislate it in concert with our American allies,” he said.

“A failure to do so means allowing the Chinese government to directly influence the major source of news and information about the world for young Australians and unparalleled opportunity for foreign interference in a dangerous world.”

Cybersecurity expert Susan McLean said if the bill progresses in the US, Australia should follow suit.

Minister for Home Affairs Clare O’Neil and Minister for Immigration Andrew Giles. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“These decisions and the people that are presenting to Congress and the Pentagon are whizzbang cybersecurity experts. If the American government believes that TikTok is of national security concern then we as a friend of America should realise if it is a risk.

“If it’s a risk in one western country, then it’s a risk in another country.”

Ms McLean said Australia would have to be mindful of its diplomatic relations with China but national security must remain the priority.

“We are geographically closer to China and we have to be mindful of maintaining diplomatic relations but if push comes to shove, if the company is acting in a way that risks national security, then that should be the priority,” she said.