Numerous countries already banned TikTok on their government devices as they fear the app can leak sensitive information. 

(Photo : Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)
In this photo illustration, the social media application logo, TikTok is displayed on the screen of an iPhone on an American flag background on August 3, 2020 in Arlington, Virginia.

For the past years, TikTok has been criticized because of the security risks it poses. One of the major concerns of government officials is ByteDance's alleged ties with the Chinese government. 

Recently, the U.S. government even urged ByteDance to sell its social media platform or risk a nationwide ban. 

As of writing, TikTok is still owned by ByteDance; and many countries decided to ban the app on gov. devices to avoid risking their data. 

5 Countries Where TikTok is Banned on Government Devices

Business Insider provided the countries where TikTok is banned on government devices. One of these is the United States. 

(Photo : Photo by JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images)
This photograph taken with a fish-eye lens in Paris on March 1, 2023 shows the social media application logo TikTok. - The European Parliament has told staff on March 1, 2023 to purge TikTok from devices used for work because of data protection concerns, after similar moves by the EU's main governing bodies last week.

Also Read: New Zealand Joins TikTok Ban-wagon on Government Devices Due to Security Concerns

Recently, the U.S. Congress received Biden Admin-supported bills that would allow Joe Biden to impose a wide ban on apps, such as TikTok. 

Aside from the United States, here are other top five countries that are partially or completely banning TikTok. 

• The United Kingdom (Imposed a government device ban against TikTok)
• India (Imposed a ban on Chinese-owned apps, such as TikTok, since January 2021) 
• Canada (Imposed a government device ban against TikTok) 
• Australia (Some individual government agencies banned TikTok from being installed on officials' gadgets)
• Taiwan (The Taiwanese government introduced a TikTok ban on government devices and proposes wider restrictions against the social media app) 

Why TikTok is the Only One Heavily Criticized

TikTok is not the only social media platform accused of collecting user data without consent. Facebook, Twitter, and other online websites are also believed to conduct data harvesting practices. 

However, AP News reported that TikTok is heavily criticized because of its linkage to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). 

Many privacy advocates warned that ByteDance could share TikTok's user data, such as biometric identifiers, location, and browsing history, with China's authoritarian government. 

Other stories we recently wrote about TikTok: 

The new TikTok STEM feed feature is expected to arrive in the United States as part of ByteDance's efforts to lessen fears of misleading content. 

A new study revealed that TikTok's Mpox videos are inaccurate. 

For more news updates about TikTok and other social media apps, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.  

Related Article: China Calls for Countries Like US to Treat TikTok Fairly Following Bans