TIKTOK was today BANNED on government phones over security fears.
The Chinese-owned app won’t be allowed on top phones handling sensitive information, Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden confirmed.
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In a Commons statement, he said: “Social media apps collect and store huge amounts of user data, including contacts, user content and geolocation data.
“On governments devices, that data can be sensitive. And so today, we are strengthening the security of those devices.”
Alongside banning TikTok, from today government devices will only be able to access apps that are on a pre-approved and vetted list.
“Given the particular risks around government devices, which may take sensitive information, it is both prudent and proportionate to restrict the use of certain apps,” Mr Dowden said.
The ban will apply to government corporate devices in Whitehall departments and agencies, but it will NOT extend to the personal phones of MPs, ministers or civil servants.
The public are also free to continue using TikTok as normal.
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Responding to the ban, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Alicia Kearns, said: “Today’s decision to ban TikTok on government devices and create a pre-approved app list is a welcome, precautionary move. TikTok’s ability to act as a data Trojan Horse remains a concern, as is our continued acceptance of data exploiting technologies on our streets and in our pockets.
“This move will go some way to protect our Government from spyware, and a state which will stop at nothing to steal our data and infiltrate us to make us vulnerable.”
Ms Kearns added: “Today must be the start of a national discussion about the importance of our data with the public.”
The move comes after a string of other countries have done the same thing – including the EU and the US, over concerns about the amount of data that they are getting about top officials.
Rishi Sunak made a big hint a ban was coming when he said the UK will “look at what our allies are doing” before making any decisions.
Ministers have previously admitted that there could be security fears around the app.
Earlier this week, security minister Tom Tugendhat told Sky News he had asked the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to look into the app.
He said: “Looking at the various different apps people have on their phones and the implications for them is a hugely important question and I’ve asked the National Cyber Security Centre to look into this.”
He added: “It will be addressed with the challenges we face, with the threats we face.
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But TikTok has said any fears about its app are misguided.
TikTok, owned by Chinese technology giant ByteDance, has amassed more than 1billion users worldwide since it launched six years ago
Today China accused the US of spreading disinformation and suppressing the app after reports that Biden was calling on its Chinese owners to sell their stakes in the popular app.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said the US had not provided evidence it was a threat to national security.
He said: “The U.S. should stop spreading disinformation about data security, stop suppressing the relevant company, and provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory environment for foreign businesses to invest and operate in the U.S.”
