Scott Morrison rules out TikTok ban after China data theft allegations

Scott Morrison has issued a warning to TikTok users and their parents while confirming he wouldn’t ban the Chinese-owned app in Australia.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has ruled out a ban on TikTok just weeks after warning that intelligence agencies were “looking closely” at the popular video sharing app.

But Mr Morrison said it was a case of buyer beware because parents and users should know the “extension cord goes back to China”.

“Well, we have had a good look at this, and there is no evidence for us to suggest having done that that there is any misuse of any people’s data that has occurred, at least from Australian perspective, in relation to these applications,’’ he said.

“You know, there’s plenty of things that are on TikTok which are embarrassing enough in public; it’s that sort of a social media device. That said, I think our response is that Australians have to be very aware, and it’s not just with TikTok and things like that.

“But I think people should understand and there’s a sort of a buyer beware process. There’s nothing at this point that would suggest to us that security interests have been compromised or Australian citizens have been compromised because of what’s happening with those applications. But people should know that the line connects right back to China and that they should exercise their own judgment about whether they should participate in those things or not.”

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has ruled out a ban on TikTok. Picture: Olivier Douliery / AFP

The Prime Minister revealed he will not ban TikTok during a question-and-answer session today at the Aspen Security Forum which is being held online.

Asked if Australian intelligence agencies concluded that there was no security threat, Mr Morrison said there was no reason to ban TikTok.

“There’s no reason for us to restrict those applications at this point. We’ll obviously keep watching them,’’ he said.

“But there’s no evidence to suggest to us today that that is a step that is necessary. But I would stress strongly to any Australians listening to this and those who are reporting on it, that people need to understand where the extension cord goes back to.”

Last month, Mr Morrison said there were concerns about the app and he would not shy away from taking strong action.

“We are always very mindful of those risks and we are always monitoring them very, very closely,” he said.

“If we consider there is a need to take further action than we are taking now, then I can tell you we won’t be shy about it.”

Mr Morrison parents and users should know the ‘extension cord goes back to China’. Picture: NCA NewsWire /Gary Ramage

In the United States, President Donald Trump has set a September 15 deadline for TikTok to find a US buyer.

If it fails to do so he has threatened to shut down the app in the country but he’s also calling for the US Treasury to get a cut of the deal.

“Right now they don’t have any rights unless we give it to them. So if we’re going to give them the rights, then … it has to come into this country,” Mr Trump said. “It’s a great asset, but it’s not a great asset in the United States unless they have approval in the United States.”

The company has argued Australian user data is stored in Singapore and the United States, but there are concerns about the fact TikTok is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, which also works on artificial intelligence.

TikTok’s Australian general manager Lee Hunter has led a lobbying effort among MPs arguing the platform is simply a platform to share videos.

“The truth is, with tensions rising between some countries, TikTok has unfortunately been caught in the middle, and is being used by some as a political football.

“I assure you – we’re a social media platform for sharing videos – that’s all.”