TikTok a national security risk
A deepfake video of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) recently spread on TikTok and Line in Taiwan. Ker filed a complaint with the authorities and urged the public not to share the video.
TikTok is a tool for cognitive warfare by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and it has escalated its efforts. While the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) camps in the legislature passed three controversial bills, Ker held a news conference criticizing the KMT and TPP for endangering the nation and disrupting governance.
Meanwhile, a video with simplified Chinese subtitles, a Chinese-accented voiceover and content slandering the ruling DPP appeared on TikTok. Although those with discerning eyes could immediately recognize it as a fake, its provocative nature, rapid release and intent to mislead are alarming.
Taiwan should take the influence of TikTok seriously and observe how other countries regulate the platform. The US and EU have banned the use of TikTok on government devices due to concerns user data collected by the platform could be transmitted to the Chinese government, posing a threat to national security. The UK found that TikTok breached data privacy laws and might have improperly used data from young users. For security reasons, it has also banned TikTok on government devices. India banned TikTok due to its content inciting social unrest, promoting violence and negatively affecting mental health. Albania announced a one-year ban on TikTok that started on Saturday, citing concerns over the harmful effects of violent videos on teenagers.
The main argument against a ban is that it could harm freedom of speech in democratic countries. However, the CCP is exploiting the shield of free speech to undermine democracies. Taiwan should prioritize national security over freedom of speech, as freedom cannot exist without a secure nation.
Moreover, freedom of speech does not equate to unrestricted use of technology. Allowing TikTok to freely exploit user data in Taiwan creates significant vulnerabilities in national security and individual privacy.
Social media is not limited to TikTok — Taiwan offers a diverse range of alternatives, such as Instagram, Threads and YouTube. The reasons to ban TikTok go beyond its role as a tool for CCP political warfare. Its negative impact on mental health and the spread of misinformation undermine Taiwan’s stability and serve as evidence for international restrictions on TikTok. Taiwan must take decisive action to incorporate a TikTok ban into its long-term strategy for sustainable security.
Chan Jen-hsin
Taoyuan
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