Espionage threat – TikTok ban on government mobile phones all but resolved

After the US, Canada and some European countries have already moved forward, Austria is likely to follow with a TikTok ban in the coming days. It concerns the acute security alarm surrounding the app for mobile phones with short videos, which is especially popular among young people. Because China is reportedly systematically spying on users with its now-gigantic data octopus on the internet.

The Ministry of the Interior has been considering a possible ban on the app on all government mobile phones since at least the end of February. For example, in the future it will be prohibited for police officers, magistrates and employees of ministries to use service smartphones. The decision should be announced next week. And while the sparrows are whistling from the roofs of the Palais Modena, the seat of the Ministry of the Interior, a ban has been de facto enacted!

Data protection activist Schrems: “Access to GPS and microphone”
We asked data protection activist Max Schrems exactly why TikTok is being banned from corporate cell phones. “It is generally feared that data of officials through the app could fall into the hands of China,” says Schrems, who explains: Depending on the release and operating system, each app can access the mobile phone identity number, data, GPS location, microphone and so on. However, it is “really difficult to find out exactly what data is being passed on. Usually the data is large, so it would be easier to extract a little more than necessary without being noticed.”

What do mobile apps get from using the data? “Companies want to make money. This can be done through data use, but also through the sale of the data. But there are also paid apps that cost a bit but still use our data.”

The Chinese empire dominates the internet
Meanwhile, the red dragon’s internet empire is growing every day. The music and video platform now has 1.5 billion accounts worldwide. In 141 countries and in 39 different languages, TikTok has become an indispensable social platform, especially for Generation Z. At least since the pandemic, the looping videos, often only a few seconds long, are part of the daily life of young people . In Austria, the platform inspires at least 1.75 million people.

But even with Generation Y and the baby boomers, TikTok is no longer new territory, even stars and starlets from all over the world are plunging into new media territory, and the short videos provide insight into private lives. In this country, Richard Lugner flatters his 25,000 followers with broken English and Viennese humour. In the international race for reputation, celebrities like Kim Kardashian with 7.9 million fans or Katy Perry with 6.9 million followers dominate. Billie Eilish in particular scores on the platform and reaches about 47 million users with her videos.

Domestic political squad remains on the platform
In addition to the rich and beautiful romp, practically all local political celebrities romp on the popular platform. From Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen (number 1 with almost 58,000 “fans”) to Chancellor Karl Nehammer and State Minister Karoline Edtstadler (leading the turquoise-green government with more than 20,000 followers and 125 videos) to Justice Minister Alma Zadić or Wiens Mayor Michael Ludwig.

They all put themselves in the spotlight, from cute dog clips or photos of ball gowns to state visits – official and private use often blur. And they all have one goal in common: to lure the politically ill Generation Z to the polls.

Great silence in domestic politics
In the run-up to the TikTok ban, there is now great silence in domestic politics. Because while the ban on government agencies is coming, in the battle for the young voters you don’t want to be without this platform.

And what does TikTok itself say? People are disappointed, speak of “fundamental disinformation without evidence”.