TikTok banned from UK government phones

TikTok banned from UK government phones Photos: Stock/Canva

TikTok banned from UK government phones

TikTok will be banned from UK government phones amid security concerns around the Chinese-owned video app.

TikTok banned from UK government phones

TikTok banned from UK government phones Photos: Stock/Canva

Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden announced on Thursday that TikTok would be banned from UK government phones amid security concerns around the Chinese-owned video app.

THIS COMES WITH FEARS GROWING ABOUT HOW APP USES GOVERNMENT DATA

According to reports, Dowden said that there “could” be a risk to how the app uses government data and information.

ALSO READ: NEW TikTok feature coming soon – a 60-minute daily screen time limit for under 18s

He said that while TikTok use is “limited”, banning it is good cyber “hygiene” – and brings the UK in line with the US, Canada, and the EU.

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

ALSO READ: WhatsApp no longer works on these smartphones – Here is the full list

TIKTOK HAS STRONGLY DENIED THE ALLEGATIONS

Dowden said he would not advise the public against using TikTok, but they should always “consider each social media platform’s data policies before downloading and using them”.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had been under pressure from senior MPs to follow the US and the European Union in barring the video-sharing app from official government devices.

ALSO READ: This NEW WhatsApp feature can save you from embarrassment

THE USE OF TIKTOK HAS EXPLODED IN RECENT YEARS

But government departments – and individual ministers – have enthusiastically embraced TikTok to get their message out to younger people.

Use of the app has exploded in recent years, with 3.5 billion downloads worldwide.