Shotgun aim at TikTok

The relationship between national security interests and technology has never been more complex than in our present digital age. Amid the concerns to protect our territorial integrity and assert our sovereignty in our disputed West Philippine Sea (WPS), out of the blue popped up from nowhere the supposed calls on the possible threats posed by TikTok. Purportedly, these calls emanated from our own military and intelligence communities. 

The popular TikTok social media app is not only widely being used here but also elsewhere in the world. App – or apps – is the abbreviation for application or application program. An app is a type of software that allows you to perform specific tasks. As it is right now, there are apps for everything, from learning instant language translation to booking airline flight or concert tickets, etc. etc. etc. 

Unfortunately, there is always a dark side to every thing whenever such level of sophistication in the technology is abused for one reason or another. So while it may indeed hold some truth that social media apps could pose security risks, it might not be the wisest course of action to solely target one app while ignoring the rest.  

In particular, National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya first raised these concerns over TikTok in the offshoot of the renewed tension between the Philippines and China over our overlapping maritime territorial claims at the South China Sea, or the WPS to our side. According to Malaya, his agency has since then formed in September this year a task force to investigate the validity of these threats, perceived or otherwise. 

Singled out was the very much popular “TikTok” allegedly because it is emanating all the way from China. Rather than pointing fingers at a solitary app like TikTok, it would be more prudent to acknowledge that security concerns can be found lurking in the shadows of various platforms.

Since the virtual realm is teeming with countless apps vying for our attention, it’s crucial to approach the matter with discerning minds. 

In this regard, it would be more prudent if a decision to restrict the use of an app would be based on factual evidence rather than unfounded fears. TikTok, for instance, has come out publicly and repeatedly affirms it is not Chinese-owned contrary to persistent claims by those who obviously do not know any better. It is an IT company based in Los Angeles and Singapore. Its main server is in Ireland. Its parent company, Bytedance, has a board of directors consisting of five individuals, none of whom are said to have any affiliation with a government or State entity.

Another fear of TikTok stems from concerns surrounding data privacy and potential espionage, as well as disinformation. While it is certainly crucial to address these issues, it is also essential to refrain from singling out a particular platform arbitrarily. Numerous social media platforms collect user data, including popular apps such as Facebook and Instagram. 

In the matter of disinformation, I agree with Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy when he stated this is a problem faced by all social media platforms. As such, this requires a multisector approach to deal with. The DICT chief likewise maintains that any decision to ban TikTok will be deemed “whimsical” if it lacks basis on actual facts and science with concrete evidence-based reasoning. 

Rather than impose an all encompassing ban it would be more prudent for governments to develop comprehensive regulations that hold all social media platforms accountable for protecting user data and ensuring transparent usage policies. The real quest lies in crafting an approach that’s discerning and balanced, ensuring we safeguard our national security without setting a precedent that might be overly restrictive, or inadvertently biased in the domain of online regulations.

In the search for a balanced framework, the Philippines can turn to the Singapore model. With its reputation for detail-oriented governance and tight-knit security measures, Singapore’s approach provides ample solutions. In Singapore, government-issued gadgets are strictly for official purposes, with only sanctioned apps getting the green light.

This means that popular platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube can be accessed based on work requirements. Singapore’s approach emphasizes flexibility. There are provisions for government roles that involve using these platforms, such as communications specialists or those who monitor digital trends and narratives. These individuals have the privilege of using these platforms, as it reflects the necessity to adapt to the digital evolution of many government positions.

The beauty of Singapore’s approach lies in its dual focus. While it underscores the importance of protecting sensitive data and upholding national security, it also acknowledges the changing contours of governmental roles and the ever-growing relevance of digital platforms in today’s age.

Described as a “whitelisting” approach, it emphasizes fairness, efficiency, and careful vetting, ensuring that applications are assessed and greenlit based on specific responsibilities and duties of various personnel.

Embracing this framework could chart a new course for the Philippines. Rather than implementing a blanket restriction on certain apps, a more segmented strategy could be the way forward. It should engender to align both our national security goals and the evolving communication needs of a fully digitalized government as envisioned by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

A more urgent measure is to ramp up the digital literacy of our defense and intelligence cadre. It’s about nurturing an awareness of potential digital pitfalls, vulnerabilities, and safe practices. Armed with proper knowledge and awareness, our personnel can make informed decisions on their digital forays. Aiming only at TikTok is a “shotgun” problem-solving method that is indiscriminate and haphazard.