Popular social media app TikTok has been banned on the United Kingdom government electronic devices, the Cabinet Office announced on Thursday.
The ban comes after Cabinet Office Ministers ordered a security review. This looked at the potential vulnerability of government data from social media apps on devices and risks around how sensitive information could be accessed and used by some platforms.
Given the potentially sensitive nature of information which is stored on government devices, government policy on the management of third-party applications will be strengthened and a precautionary ban on TikTok on government devices is being introduced, the Cabinet Office said on the government website.
Currently, there is limited use of TikTok within government and limited need for government staff to use the app on work devices.
This decision is in line with similar restrictions brought in by key international partners, including the US and Canadian governments, and the European Commission.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden 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.
“Restricting the use of TikTok on Government devices is a prudent and proportionate step following advice from our cyber security experts.”
TikTok requires users to give permission for the app to access data stored on the device, which is then collected and stored by the company. Allowing such permissions gives the company access to a range of data on the device, including contacts, user content, and geolocation data.
The government, along with our international partners, is concerned about the way in which this data may be used.
It noted that the ban does not extend to personal devices for government employees, ministers or the general public. Individuals should be aware of each social media platform’s data policies when considering downloading and using them, the statement added.
The ban on government devices applies to government corporate devices within all government departments.
Specific exemptions for the use of TikTok on government devices are being put in place where required for work purposes.
Security teams will only grant exemptions on a case-by-case basis, with ministerial clearance as appropriate, and security mitigations put in place.
These exemptions will cover areas such as individuals working in relevant enforcement roles, or for example, for work on online harms.
Earlier today, many reports that the United States government threatened to ban TikTok in its territory if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, failed to sell its stake in the U.S. version of the app.
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