UK Ministers Banned From Using Chinese App Tik Tok On Government Phones

The use of Chinese-owned social media app Tik Tok on phones and other devices issued to government ministers and civil servants has been banned.

Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Dowden told MPs the app would be banned on security grounds with immediate effect.

He described it as “precautionary” but “prudent” move, following a review by the National Cyber Security Centre.

Tik Tok has strongly denied allegations that it hands users’ data to the Chinese government.

Mr Dowden said: “The security of sensitive government information must come first”.

But he told MPs the ban would not extend to ministers’ or civil servants’ personal phones, or the general public – because this was a “proportionate” response to a “specific risk with government devices”.

“However, as is always the case, we do advise individuals to practise caution online and to consider each social media platform’s data policies before downloading and using them.”

Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner welcomed the ban, but accused the government of being “behind the curve” and “closing the stable door after the horse has bolted”.

Both Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) have TikTok accounts – and the MOD uploaded a video of a Challenger 2 tank, a type being supplied to Ukraine, to its account on Thursday morning.

It told the BBC it would continue to use TikTok among a “wide range of digital channels… to promote the work of the Armed Forces and to communicate our support to Ukraine”.

“Robust processes are in place to ensure our devices are secure, including managing risks from third party applications. Our most sensitive information is held on a separate system,” a spokesperson added.

UK government ministers have come under pressure from senior MPs to follow the United States and the European Commission in banning the app.

The US banned TikTok from official devices in December, and the Commission followed suit last month. Canada, Belgium and India have taken similar action.

China has accused the US of spreading disinformation and suppressing Tik Tok amid reports the White House wants its Chinese owners to sell their stakes in the firm.

Earlier this week, the prime minister said the UK would “look at what our allies are doing”.

Tik Tok said bans had been based on “misplaced fears and seemingly driven by wider geopolitics”, adding it would be “disappointed by such a move” in the UK.

It has said it does not share data with Chinese officials, but Chinese intelligence laws requires firms to help the Communist Party when requested.

Critics fear the policy could expose data on devices used by political leaders and officials to Beijing.

-BBC