The U.K. plans to ban TikTok on government phones following similar moves in the U.S. and European Union.
Dan Kitwood | Getty Images News | Getty Images
LONDON — The United Kingdom on Thursday announced plans to ban the use of Chinese-owned video app TikTok on government corporate devices.
Cabinet office minister Oliver Dowden said that, following a review by Britain’s cybersecurity experts, it is “clear that there could be a risk around how sensitive government data is accessed and used by certain platforms.”
Dowden added that apps collect huge amounts of data on users, including contacts and location. On government devices, that “data can be sensitive,” he said.
“The security of sensitive government information must come first, so today we are banning this app on government devices. The use of other data-extracting apps will be kept under review,” the minister said in a press statement.
The TikTok ban begins with immediate effect, according to Dowden, who noted that the move was “precautionary.”
He confirmed the ban would not extend to personal devices for government employees. “This is a proportionate move based on a specific risk with government devices.”
Exemptions for the use of TikTok on government devices are being implemented where necessary for work purposes, but “will only be granted by security teams on a case-by-case basis, with ministerial clearance as appropriate, and with security mitigations put in place,” the government said.
The minister also said that government devices will only be able to access third-party apps that are on a pre-approved list.
A TikTok spokesperson said that the company was disappointed with the U.K. government’s decision.
“We believe these bans have been based on fundamental misconceptions and driven by wider geopolitics, in which TikTok, and our millions of users in the UK, play no part. We remain committed to working with the government to address any concerns but should be judged on facts and treated equally to our…
Read the full article here
