Rep. Benny Abante Renews Push to Ban TikTok in the Philippines

Philippine Representative Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. renewed his push to ban TikTok in the country, citing national security and data privacy concerns. The move revives his earlier effort from May 2024, when he filed House Bill 10489, seeking to prohibit applications controlled by what he described as “foreign adversaries.”

Abante alleges that TikTok poses a national security threat because its parent company, ByteDance, is based in China and could potentially transmit sensitive user data to the Chinese government.

Abante’s Arguments for the TikTok Ban

National security concerns:Abante emphasized that preemptive action is necessary amid heightened tensions between the Philippines and China. He warned that TikTok could be used as a tool to spread misinformation and manipulate public opinion.

Data privacy:He has consistently raised alarm over the app’s data collection practices, claiming that the personal information of Filipino users could be accessed by the Chinese government for intelligence purposes.

Inspiration from other countries:Abante has pointed to similar actions taken by the United States and India, both of which have restricted or banned TikTok due to comparable security and privacy issues.

Government and Public Response

Mixed government reaction:Following Abante’s initial proposal in 2024, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) expressed a preference for regulation over an outright ban. DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian Dy said that stronger oversight and data protection measures could address the risks without harming small businesses that depend on the platform.

Free speech concerns:Critics of the proposal argue that banning TikTok could infringe on free speech and set a dangerous precedent for restricting other social media platforms.

Ongoing public debate:The proposal continues to generate intense discussion on social media, including on TikTok itself, with users divided over whether a ban would strengthen national security or limit digital freedoms.

Status of the Proposal

As of late October 2025, Abante’s proposal has not yet been enacted into law. While he has gained some support from advocacy groups, there has been no definitive government action toward implementing a ban. The issue remains part of a broader national conversation about social media regulation, foreign influence, and online security in the Philippines.