TikTok blocked on London City Hall devices amid latest ban on Chinese-owned app

London City Hall staff will no longer have TikTok on their devices following the latest ban imposed on the Chinese-owned social media app on security grounds.

The Greater London Authority (GLA) said the rule was implemented because it takes information security “extremely seriously”.

This comes after the UK government banned ministers from using video-sharing apps on work phones following security checks.

The House of Commons and House of Lords also cited security concerns in deciding to ban the app from the Palace of Westminster.

The Scottish Government is imposing a ban on the use of official devices amid concerns “about potential tracking and privacy risks from some social media applications”.

A GLA spokesman said: “GLA takes information security extremely seriously.

“Following the government’s decision, TikTok will no longer be available on GLA devices.”

TikTok, owned by Chinese internet company ByteDance, says it does not share data with China.

However, Beijing’s intelligence legislation requires companies to help the Communist Party when asked to do so.

When the UK government announced its ban last week, citing risks to “sensitive” data, Beijing reacted angrily.

The Chinese embassy in the UK described it as a move “based on political motives rather than facts” and said it would “ultimately harm the UK’s interests”.

A TikTok spokesperson said: “As we have said, we believe these bans are based on fundamental misconceptions and are driven by broader geopolitics.

“We are ready to meet with the mayor to dispel any doubts, but we should be judged based on 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.”