NT government to ban TikTok on employees’ work phones, devices

Northern Territory government employees have been ordered to delete TikTok from their work device, in line with a commonwealth ban. Here’s why.

Territory government employees have been ordered to delete TikTok from their work phones.

It comes after the federal government banned the app across its issued devices on Tuesday, following advice from security and intelligence officials.

Most Australian states have also declared the ban, while the Tasmanian and West Australian governments are likely to follow suit.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the social media app must be removed from government devices by Tuesday.

NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has confirmed her government will follow the commonwealth’s move to remove TikTok from all issued devices. Picture: Liam Mendes/The Australian

“Northern Territory government employees who have a work phone or work asset will need to delete TikTok by April 11,” she said.

“Staff are still permitted to have TikTok on personal phones, but if their device also has NTG email installed they will need to delete the TikTok app.

“We need to ensure our government networks and information are secure.”

Ms Fyles did not comment on whether the private sector or everyday Territorians should consider deleting the app as well.

Canberra’s decision brings Australia in line with its Five Eyes security partners – Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

While the Albanese government is not expected to move on a countrywide ban like the US, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said recommendations from a security review into foreign interference and social media remained “under consideration”.

Chinese-owned TikTok has more than one billion adult users across the world, with eight million of those in Australia.

Northern Territory government employees have been ordered to delete TikTok from their work devices and any device their NTG emails are connected to. Picture: LOIC VENANCE/AFP

In a statement ahead of the federal ban’s announcement, TikTok Australia and New Zealand general manager Lee Hunter said the decision was “driven by politics, not fact”.

“There is no evidence to suggest that TikTok is in any way a security risk to Australians and should not be treated differently to other social media platforms,” Mr Hunter said.

“Our millions of Australian users deserve a government which makes decisions based upon facts and who treats all businesses fairly, regardless of country of origin.”

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has declared he would delete his TikTok account, which has more than 100,00 followers.

The new NSW Premier Chris Minns has pledged to do the same.

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