Australia will not ban TikTok, Shorten says
Australia will not ban social media app TikTok after a major vote in the US brought a nationwide prohibition a step closer.
The House of Congress this week approved a bill that would see TikTok banned throughout the US if its Chinese-based owner refuses to sell.
US lawmakers claimed the app could be forced to disclose user data to the Chinese government, while Beijing in turn accused the US of "bullying".
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Australia will not seek to ban TikTok. AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File
Government Services Minister Bill Shorten told Today that Australia would not go down the same path.
"The government has said that we're not going to ban the app. We will rely on the advice of our security agencies," he said.
The app has already been prohibited from installation on government phones and devices with access to sensitive information.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton agreed that advice from Australia's security agencies should guide policy over social media apps.
Watch Shorten's full statement in the player above.
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