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 TikTok application logo displayed on a mobile phone in Randers, Denmark, Feb. 28, 2023. Bo Amstrup, EPA-EFE/File

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Military personnel still banned from using Tiktok, says AFP spox

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1708154934970.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">TikTok application logo displayed on a mobile phone in Randers, Denmark, Feb. 28, 2023. <em>Bo Amstrup, EPA-EFE/File</em></span><em> </em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA -- Personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are still banned from using popular social media app Tiktok due to cybersecurity risks, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said.</p><p>Padilla said the policy has been in effect for more than a year now.</p><p>“It’s not a new policy. Ever since, hindi na siya allowed for us,” Padilla said in a phone interview.</p><p>The ban covers both personal and government-issued phones of military personnel.</p><p>Padilla explained that Tiktok asks users for access to features like camera and microphone, which can monitor activities from one’s phone.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/03/23/23/tiktok-chief-faces-us-congress-as-lawmakers-mull-ban" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TikTok chief faces US Congress as lawmakers mull ban</a></div><p>“Meron siyang implication ng cybersecurity. Hindi siya ginagamit ng China for one, considering that it is an app that is made by China. So, based on the result of the research ng US, meron siyang like listening… namo-monitor niya ‘yung activities mo from your phone kasi when you download it, you give certain permissions. That includes permission to the use of microphone, camera, so unknowingly, meron na silang control sa phone mo,” she said.</p><p>The AFP spokesperson, however, stressed that the directive has nothing to do with the country’s problems with China over the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>“Ganun talaga siya, part siya ng cybersecurity,” Padilla said. “Not really connected to the West Philippine Sea issue, but, you know, part of cybersecurity to begin with.”</p><p>In October last year, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. instructed personnel of the Department of National Defense and AFP to stop using artificial intelligence (AI) photo generator applications, saying such apps can pose privacy and security risks.</p><p>Teodoro also reminded DND and AFP personnel to ensure that their actions “are aligned to the department’s values and are in adherence to existing policies.”</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/01/25/24/tiktok-removes-nearly-4-million-videos-in-ph" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TikTok removes nearly 4 million videos in PH due to violations</a></div><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/2/1/tiktok-ceo-denies-he-s-a-member-of-chinese-communist-party-1038" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TikTok CEO denies he&#x27;s a member of Chinese Communist Party</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="2947737"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script>

<p>AFP personnel are are still banned from using popular social media app Tiktok due to cybersecurity risks, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said.</p>

AFP personnel are are still banned from using popular social media app Tiktok due to cybersecurity risks, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said.