While Parliamentary Service warned MPs in New Zealand against using the app last year, it fell short of an outright ban. (file image) Photo: 123RF
The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) minister says New Zealand will not be following other countries in clamping down on TikTok on government-issued cellphones - because it legally cannot.
Instead, Andrew Little has reminded all New Zealanders to "take a cautious approach to sharing personal information when installing any app, and always check privacy settings and consider any other information the app is seeking permission to use"
On Tuesday, Canada moved to ban the video sharing app (owned by Chinese company ByteDance) on government devices, as a precaution against data collection and security.
The White House has given US federal agencies 30 days to delete the app from their government issued-devices, prompting a negative reaction from China's foreign ministry.
While Parliamentary Service warned MPs in New Zealand against using the app last year, it fell short of an outright ban.
GCSB Minister Andrew Little Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
In a statement to RNZ, GCSB Minister Andrew Little said New Zealand's intelligence agencies "do not have the legal mandate to ban apps."
The GCSB provides security advice, policy, and guidance to government agencies through the New Zealand Information Security Manual (NZISM). But it has no specific advice on what technology platforms, services, and apps can or cannot be used.
"The NZISM, which has recommendations and mandatory standards for all government agencies to follow, includes a requirement for agencies to mitigate any risk identified when considering the use of any new platforms, services or apps," Little said.