TikTok to cease operating in Hong Kong ‘in light of recent events’

TikTok has announced that they will be ceasing operations in Hong Kong, following the region adopting a new national security law with mainland China’s government.

The controversial new laws have been deemed by experts to be a further erosion of Hong Kong’s decaying freedom. The laws will see those charged with severe offences — pertaining to undermining the Chinese government — face a maximum penalty of life in prison.

It is a concern that the new laws would force international businesses to relinquish user data to the Chinese Government. Tech companies operating in Hong Kong are anxious that the laws could force them to comply with China’s draconian censorship standards.

TikTok is owned by Chinese company ByteDance — who have faced significant backlash over alleged ties to the Chinese Government Party, and allegations of censoring videos that attacked Chinese human rights abuse.

TikTok plan to exit the city within the coming days. “In light of recent events, we’ve decided to stop operations of the TikTok app in Hong Kong,” a spokesman told the BBC.

Last week, India banned TikTok, over national security and privacy of user data concerns.

Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Google and Telegram have all announced plans to change their operations in Hong Kong following the new security law announcement.

Yesterday, The Herald Sun reported that the Australian government is facing calls to ban TikTok over growing national security and data spying fears.

According to the report, plans are underway to pull the video-sharing platform ahead of the Foreign Interference through Social Media senate inquiry amid fears that the Chinese-owned platform leaks users’ information to Beijing.

“TikTok does not share information of our users in Australia with any foreign government, including the Chinese Government, and would not do so if asked,” shares Lee Hunter, General Manager, TikTok Australia “We place the highest importance on user privacy and integrity.”

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.