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Understanding the TikTok Ban: A CISO's Perspective on the Implications for Enterprises

TikTok Ban

As the federal government considers a potential ban on the popular video-sharing app TikTok, many enterprises are beginning to ponder the implications such a move could have on their operations. As Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) evaluate their companies' risks, there are several key factors they should consider.

Evolving Cybersecurity Threats

The proposed TikTok ban underscores the increasingly complex and evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats. The ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China, which have fueled concerns about Chinese espionage, have added a new layer of complexity to data security concerns. Companies must be ever-vigilant to protect their data, regardless of the source or origin of their software or applications.

Implications for Businesses: Marketing and TikTok's Popularity

A ban could have significant implications for businesses that rely on the app for marketing or outreach. TikTok has emerged as one of the most popular social media platforms in recent years, with more than 800 million active users worldwide. 

For some businesses, TikTok represents a valuable channel to reach younger consumers and to create engaging and viral content. A ban on the app could force companies to pivot to other platforms or explore new marketing strategies altogether.

Balancing Security and Employee Privacy: Personal Use of TikTok

A TikTok ban could have an impact on employees who use the app for personal purposes. Many employees may use TikTok for entertainment or to stay connected with friends and family, and a ban on the app could be perceived as overly restrictive or invasive. 

CISOs must carefully balance the need to protect company data with the desire to maintain a positive workplace culture and to respect employees' personal choices.

Need for Comprehensive Cybersecurity Strategy

The proposed TikTok ban highlights the need for companies to have a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy in place. Even if TikTok is not a key tool or application for a company, the ban serves as a reminder that cybersecurity threats can come from any direction and that companies must have a proactive and adaptive approach to security. 

This includes conducting regular risk assessments, implementing appropriate access controls, monitoring for potential breaches, and ensuring that employees receive regular training on security best practices.

While the TikTok ban is still just a proposal, it has already raised important questions for enterprises and their CISOs to consider. By taking a proactive and holistic approach to cybersecurity, companies can mitigate risks and ensure that they are well-positioned to weather any potential disruptions to their operations.

The West Accuses TikTok of Espionage & Data Mining

 

TikTok is one of the few social media corporate giants that was not created by a Silicon Valley business. The parent business, ByteDance, which launched the internet service in China in 2016, has offices spread across the globe, including Paris. Nonetheless, Beijing remains the location of the parent company's main office. These claims, which include, among other things, some actions that are not within the purview of this social network, are fleshed out by a number of causes for concern.

TikTok will no longer be available to employees and elected officials of the European Parliament and the European Commission starting in mid-March. The United States' main worry is that the Chinese government might be able to access their citizens' data and snoop on them.

Many publications from disinformation-focused research organizations or businesses highlight how simple it is for people to come across incorrect or misleading information concerning elections or pandemics. Research from the Center for Combating Online Hate in the United States in December 2022 showed how the social network's algorithm suggested hazardous content to its teenage members, including videos about self-harm and eating disorders.

Yet, the fact that ByteDance has released two different versions of its application—Douyin, which is only available in the Chinese market, and TikTok for the rest of the world—reinforces misconceptions and wild speculation about the latter.

It occurs while China and the West are engaged in a larger technology-related arms race that includes everything from surveillance balloons to computer chips. TikTok seeks a lot of user permissions, according to the Exodus Privacy organization, which examines Android apps. As a result, the program gets access to the device's microphone, contacts, camera, storage, and even geolocation information.

TikTok first needs broad access to its users' devices in order to function, display targeted adverts, or show pertinent videos. On the website of the ToSDR association, which simplifies and evaluates the general conditions of use of numerous applications and services, TikTok obtains an E score, the worst score in the list.

The federal government will reportedly also prevent the app from being downloaded on authorized devices going forward, according to Mona Fortier, president of the Canadian Treasury Board. It is justified that the approach of European institutions is one of caution in the face of difficult international relations with Beijing.








Here are the Countries That Have Imposed TikTok Ban


This week, the U.S. and Canada have issued orders to ban the use of TikTok on state-issued gadgets, following the raising cybersecurity concerns over the video-sharing app. 

Bytedance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, has long insisted that it does not exchange data with the Chinese government and that it does not store any of its data there. 

The company alleges that the app is independently managed and refutes claims that it collects more user data than other social media sites. However, many countries tend to have erred on the side of caution when it comes to the platform and their ties to China. 

We are listing the countries and regions that have either imposed a partial or a complete ban on TikTok: 

INDIA 

India imposed a ban on TikTok along with several other Chinese apps like messaging app WeChat in 2020, following concerns over user privacy and cybersecurity. 

The ban was implemented shortly after a clash between Indian and Chinese troops in a military dispute on the Himalayan border, which resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers and injured dozens. The corporations were given the chance to respond to inquiries about privacy and security requirements, but the ban was rendered permanent in January 2021. 

TAIWAN 

Following a warning issued by the FBI that TikTok presented a threat to national security, Taiwan banned the app from the public sector in December 2022. Chinese-made software, including apps like TikTok, its Chinese version Douyin, or Xiaohongshu, a Chinese lifestyle content app, is not permitted to be used on government equipment, including smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers. 

UNITED STATES 

This week, the US announced that the government authorities have 30 days to delete TikTok from federal devices and systems. The ban is applicable only to state-owned devices. China reacted angrily to the American decision to block TikTok, accusing the United States of abusing its power and stifling foreign companies. 

Also, the software is prohibited from being used on official devices in more than half of the 50 U.S. states. 

CANADA 

Following the announcement made by the US, Canada announced that the government-issued devices must not use TikTok on Monday, noting that the app could put the devices’ privacy and security at stake. In the future, the employees may as well be restricted to download the application. 

EUROPEAN UNION 

TikTok has been banned on employee devices by the European Parliament, European Commission, and EU Council, three of the major EU organizations. The embargo imposed by the European Parliament becomes effective on March 20. It has been advised to lawmakers and staff to uninstall the app from their personal devices. 

PAKISTAN 

Since October 2020, Pakistani authorities have briefly banned TikTok at least four times due to worries that the app encourages immoral content. 

AFGHANISTAN 

In 2022, the Taliban leadership in Afghanistan outlawed TikTok and the Chinese game PUBG, citing the need to prevent children from "being misled."