The European Union’s executive branch announced on Thursday that it has temporarily banned TikTok from devices used by its employees as a precautionary measure for cybersecurity.
This marks the first time the European Commission has taken such action. The move reflects growing concerns from Western officials about the Chinese-owned video-sharing app, which is facing increased scrutiny in Europe and the US over security and data privacy.
Over half of US states and Congress have banned TikTok from official government devices. The EU’s decision to ban TikTok aims to protect the Commission against cybersecurity threats and potential cyberattacks on its corporate environment.
TikTok’s Brussels-based public policy official, Caroline Greer, has responded to the ban, calling it “misguided and based on fundamental misconceptions.”
She has requested a meeting to clarify the situation and emphasized that TikTok, which has 125 million users in the EU, is committed to enhancing its data security, including the opening of three European data centers and reducing the amount of data sent outside the continent.
EU representatives have stated that employees must delete TikTok from their devices used for work by March 15th but have not provided any details on enforcement for those who use personal phones for work.
TikTok is also facing pressure from the EU to comply with upcoming digital regulations to clean up toxic and illegal content and the bloc’s strict data privacy rules.
TikTok’s ban from EU Commission devices comes amid a wider technological tug of war between China and the West, which involves everything from spy balloons to computer chips. The EU’s move to ban the app reflects the growing concerns among Western officials about the security and data privacy of the popular Chinese-owned app.
TikTok has faced criticism for its potential to promote pro-Beijing views or collect users’ information. The company has taken steps to address these concerns, including opening three European data centers and minimizing data sent outside of the continent.
However, the EU’s ban remains in place, and EU representatives have not provided any details on how the ban will be enforced.
TikTok’s public policy official in Brussels, Caroline Greer, has called the ban “misguided and based on fundamental misconceptions” and has requested a meeting to set the record straight.
TikTok has a large user base in the EU, with 125 million users, and the company is committed to enhancing its data security measures.
The EU’s ban on TikTok is part of a larger effort to regulate big online platforms and clean up toxic and illegal content, as well as enforce strict data privacy rules.
The EU’s move to ban the app highlights the growing concerns about the potential risks posed by popular social media platforms, and the need for greater regulation to protect users’ privacy and security.
