The UK government has banned TikTok, the popular Chinese-owned video-sharing app, on government mobile phones, citing security grounds. The ban applies immediately to work phones and other devices used by government ministers and civil servants, but it does not extend to personal devices.
The move follows similar actions by the US government and the European Union, which have also banned the app from government-issued mobile devices. Last month, the US government mandated that employees of federal agencies delete TikTok from all government-issued mobile devices. Congress, the White House, and more than half of US states had already banned the app.
Reasons For The Ban
The bans stem from growing concerns that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, could give user data, such as browsing history and location, to the Chinese government or push propaganda and misinformation on its behalf. The company has denied such claims, saying they are based on “misinformation.” ByteDance says it is taking steps to enhance the protection of user data from the UK and Europe.
The company stated that they do not believe their platform or the millions of users in the UK are responsible for the bans, which they think are driven by wider geopolitics and based on misconceptions. They remain dedicated to collaborating with the government to resolve any concerns, and hope to be evaluated objectively and treated on par with their rivals.
China Accuses the US of Disinformation
In response to the TikTok bans, China has accused the US of spreading disinformation and suppressing the app. This comes following reports that the Biden administration was calling for the Chinese owners to sell their stakes in the popular app. The Chinese government has also accused the US of meddling in its domestic affairs.
The UK Parliament closed its TikTok account, which was established to engage with younger audiences, within days of its launch last year. The move was made after lawmakers raised concerns over the app’s security and data privacy.
Precautionary Move
Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Dowden told Parliament that the ban was a “precautionary move” and was necessary given the potential risk around government devices, which may contain sensitive information. Dowden said that it was prudent and proportionate to restrict the use of certain apps, especially those where a large amount of data could be stored and accessed.
While the ban only applies to government devices, it adds to the growing unease around the use of the app. TikTok has over one billion users worldwide and is particularly popular among younger demographics. The app has been the subject of controversy due to concerns over its data privacy and security.
ByteDance, however, has been taking steps to address these concerns. The company has been expanding its presence in the UK and Europe, hiring cybersecurity experts and data protection officers to bolster its privacy and security measures.
The ban on TikTok by the UK government is a clear signal of the growing concern around data privacy and security. With the app’s popularity among younger generations, there is a growing sense that more needs to be done to ensure that personal information is protected. While ByteDance has denied any wrongdoing, the bans by governments around the world suggest that the issue is not going away anytime soon.
