NSC exec says nationwide ban on TikTok possible to assure security
Jonathan Malaya, National Security Council assistant director general | PHOTO: Albert Calvelo / Senate PRIB
National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said a nationwide ban on video sharing app TikTok is possible if proven it is engaged in cyberespionage.
Malaya echoed the recent statement of National Security adviser Eduardo Año in order to address the threat of using the app as a tool to infiltrate personal data or records.
Malaya also replied a categorical yes when asked on the possibility of a total ban on TikTok in the country.
Malaya, who chairs the Task Force created by Año to probe TikTok, said the team is currently evaluating the potential threat that the Chinese-owned social media app poses to the country’s national security.
“Iyong mga apps na ganyan may mga features na pwedeng gamitin para malaman ang galawan ng gumagamit- ang location, iyong mga online behavior mo- that could possible compromise national security,” Malaya said.
(These kinds of apps can have features that can be used to know the identity of the user or the user’s location, and even your online behavior, which could compromise national security.)
Though other social media platforms could generate private data from their users, TikTok is of special concern because it is a Chinese company.
Malaya, however, said that the scope of the ongoing investigation is focused on state personnel connected to the military, police, and other security agencies — precisely because of that specific concern.
“Kaya po kami doon nakatutok sa security sector dahil andun ang vulnerabilities natin. For example, ang Navy natin, Tiktok sila ng TikTok habang nag-aantay lumayag. So siyempre, nagmamanman ang Tsina kung kelan tayo magpapatrol,” said Malaya, referring to the ongoing tension between the two countries in West Philippine Sea (WPS).
(We are focused on the security sector because that is where our vulnerabilities. For example in our Navy, they use TikTok while waiting to set sail. This can be used by China to know when are we going to conduct patrol.)
“Hindi po kasi tayo ang unang naglabas ng alarmang ito. Maraming bansa, particular na sa mga western countries katulad ng Estados Unidos, Australia, European Union, pinagbawal na ang pag gamit ng TikTok sa mga government-issued devices,” he stressed.
(We are not the first one that issued this alarm. Other western countries like United States, Australia, European Union, they are prohibiting the use of TikTok in any government-issued devices.)
In the spirit of due process, Malaya said the Task Forced has asked TikTok representatives in the Philippines to air their side and submit a position paper to answer the espionage allegations against the company.
He added that the Task Force will wrap up its investigation next month and submit its recommendation to Año before the year ends.
Meanwhile, he urged government employees in the national security sector not to use the TikTok app in government issued gadgets pending the result of the ongoing investigation.
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