TikTok has been blocked on all government devices

The TikTok app in the App Store on your iPhone screen. Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden has confirmed that TikTok will be blocked from government devices following a review. Photo date: Thursday, March 16, 2023

The Cabinet Office revealed that TikTok has been blocked on all government devices.

The move comes amid concerns about potential threats to the UK’s cybersecurity.

This follows a review that examined the Chinese company’s ability to access sensitive government data.

TikTok said it was “disappointed” with the government’s decision.

Oliver Dowden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: “The security of sensitive government information must be paramount, which is why today we are banning the use of this app on government devices.

“The use of other data mining apps will be reviewed.

“Restricting the use of TikTok on government devices is a prudent and proportionate step based on the advice of our cybersecurity experts.”

TikTok requires users to consent to the app accessing data stored on the device, which is then collected and stored by the company.

This gives the company access to a range of data on the device, including contacts, user content and geolocation data.

Ministers are believed to be concerned about how the data could be used by TikTok’s owners, Chinese company ByteDance.

The parliament’s TikTok account was closed last year after lawmakers raised concerns about the company’s ties to China.

The U.S. government banned TikTok last year on federally issued devices for national security reasons.

Meanwhile, European Commission staff have been ordered to remove the TikTok app from their phones and company devices.

The commission said it was implementing a measure aimed at “protecting data and enhancing cybersecurity.”

The ban also means that European Commission staff cannot use TikTok on personal devices that have the official apps installed.

However, tThe UK ban does not cover personal devices of government workers, ministers or the general public.

A TikTok spokesperson said: “We are disappointed with this decision. We believe these bans are based on fundamental misconceptions and are driven by broader geopolitics in which TikTok and our millions of users in the UK play no role.

“We remain committed to working with the government to address any concerns, but we should be judged on the facts and treated on an equal footing with our competitors.

“We have begun implementing a comprehensive plan to continue to protect our European users’ data, which includes storing UK user data in our European data centers and tightening data access controls, including independent third-party oversight of our approach.”

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