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'Enjoy TikTok'; no ban on app in PH, says Roque

Philippines | National

'Enjoy TikTok'; no ban on app in PH, says Roque

By Genalyn Kabiling

Filipinos may still enjoy using TikTok after the government is not inclined to ban the popular short video application in the country.

(AFP / MANILA BULLETIN)

According to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, President Duterte respects free speech and has not banned any website in the country. Roque added that the government finds no reason to shut down TikTok operations in the country despite moves by some countries to ban the use of the popular app.

"Wala pong ganoon. Sa mga nagsasabi na nanunupil si Presidente ng karapatan ng malayang pananalita, walang kahit anong website na bina-ban ang presidente (There is no such thing. To those alleging the President suppresses free speech, the President has not banned any website)," he said during a televised press briefing Tuesday asked if the government has security concerns about TikTok operations in the country.

"Wala akong dahilan na nakikita na i-ban ang TikTok dito sa Pilipinas (I don't see any reason to ban TikTok in the Philippines),” said Roque, a known TikTok user.

The wildly popular video app reportedly has millions of users across the world who share videos with music and special effects. TikTok has so far been banned in India while it has come under scrutiny in other countries over security and privacy issues.

United States President Donald Trump has threatened to shut down TikTok operations in the U.S. by mid-September if an American company does not buy the Chinese-owned company.

Trump earlier divulged plans to ban the TikTok app due to security concerns but softened his stance when Microsoft disclosed the planned acquisition of the company in the United States.

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