NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 21 – The National Security Advisory Council (NSAC) is mulling banning top officials in government from using the TikTok App to share crucial government information.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki disclosed the details before lawmakers considering the petition on the ban of the China based App.
The Interior Boss asserted it would be premature to ban the social app despite the security risks associated with it but initial measures to safeguard national security will be to gag high level government officials from using the App.
“The issue on who and how the App can be used in the country is active before NSAC. Our Ministry coordinates the cyber security program in the country. This matter is so complex and consequential that it’s not easy for us to look one way and say let’s do this and that,” Kindiki stated.
Many countries are concerned about TikTok’s security and the platform’s ties to China with the United States being the latest to push for a ban.
Experts fear sensitive information could be exposed when the app is downloaded, especially on government devices.
The Interior Cabinet Secretary assured that enforcement plans are ongoing to ensure TikTok complies with various compliance obligations under the Data Protection Act and the Data Protection Regulations.
He affirmed that fact-finding mission is ongoing to ascertain whether the danger posed by TikTok outweighs the positives on an evidence-based criterion.
The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner has contacted TikTok and raised concerns relating to its processing activities in a bid to ascertain their level of compliance.
“An engagement is ongoing you don’t wake up and shut it because we have been seized of the matter. We have taken an administrative action on the matter which allows a specific time frame,” Kindiki stated.
Kindiki explained that punitive measures against TikTok haven’t been enforced to accord them a right of reply in accordance with the law.
“The right to be heard is an undeniable right even if someone has nothing to say. You should give them an opportunity to say the nothing before the action is taken,”
“If they don’t comply, we take action it’s not rocket science. We will do what we must do, if they don’t comply. It’s not a request, it’s a demand on them,” the Interior Cabinet Secretary assured.
Kindiki emphasized that the issues surrounding cyber space which pose a serious security threat in the country requires the amendment of the law to pave way for the formation of the fourth Defence tier to protect cyberspace.
Article 241 of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya provides that the Kenya Defence Forces should be comprised of the Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force and Kenya Navy.
“The potential of that arm to hurt the cyber space is huge and the irreversibility of the cyber space and its development in the country is undeniable. We need to not only look at the quick fixes but long-term look of things,” he affirmed.
The Executive Officer of Bridget Connect Consultancy Bob Ndolo in a petition called on MPs to move with speed and ban the use of TikTok in the country as it is exposing young people to explicit sexual content.
TikTok platform has been used by criminals to spread malicious propaganda, steal popular accounts through identity impersonation, distributing sexual content and conducting fraud.
TikTok is owned by the Chinese technology company Bytedance but it insists it is run independently and does not share data with the Chinese government.
The European Parliament, the European Commission, and the EU Council, the three top EU bodies, have all banned TikTok on staff devices, citing cybersecurity concerns.
However, many countries remain cautious about the platform and its ties to China. Western technology companies, including Airbnb, Yahoo, and LinkedIn, have also been leaving China or downsizing operations.
