PNP: No TikTok ban on cops; cybersecurity issue under evaluation

(INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has no policy yet on barring its personnel from using social media app TikTok, which, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), poses cybersecurity threats. 

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. clarified that police officers are allowed to use the app privately if it does not taint the organization’s name.

“With company-issued phones, we don’t have a policy on that yet, but with regard to the private use of TikTok, our personnel are allowed to do so. As long as it’s not degrading our uniform, it will not be a problem,” Acorda said in an ambush interview on Monday.

“On the security issue raised by the AFP, we are evaluating it also,” he added.

Last week, AFP Spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla disclosed that the ban on TikTok has been in effect for their organization for more than a year since it has “listening” capabilities that can monitor activities from phones.

In October 2023, the AFP said it had been looking for ways to expand its main cybersecurity unit to strengthen the defense of its networks from frequent online attacks.

It added that some attacks came from abroad, but none has penetrated their online defenses. 

The AFP’s statement came after cyberattacks on the websites of the House of Representatives, Senate of the Philippines, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Philippine Statistics Authority, and Department of Science and Technology.