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TikTok to be banned on UK government phones Chinese app TikTok to be banned on UK government phones
(36 minutes later)
Chinese-owned social media app TikTok is set to be banned on phones and other devices used by government ministers and civil servants on security grounds.Chinese-owned social media app TikTok is set to be banned on phones and other devices used by government ministers and civil servants on security grounds.
Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Dowden will make a statement to MPs later.Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Dowden will make a statement to MPs later.
There has been no official comment - but Security Minister Tom Tugendhat had asked the National Cyber Security Centre to review the issue.There has been no official comment - but Security Minister Tom Tugendhat had asked the National Cyber Security Centre to review the issue.
TikTok has strongly denied allegations that it hands users' data to the Chinese government.TikTok has strongly denied allegations that it hands users' data to the Chinese government.
The government has come under pressure from senior MPs to follow the United States and the European Commission in banning the app. A number of government departments have TikTok accounts - and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) uploaded a video of a Challenger 2 tank, a type being supplied to Ukraine, to its account this morning.
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.The US banned TikTok from official devices in December, and the Commission followed suit last month.
Minister asks cyber experts to investigate TikTokMinister asks cyber experts to investigate TikTok
TikTok users shrug at China fears: 'It's hard to care'TikTok users shrug at China fears: 'It's hard to care'
UK Parliament axes TikTok account over China fearsUK Parliament axes TikTok account over China fears
Canada and Belgium have taken similar action. Canada, Belgium and India have taken similar action.
China has accused the US of spreading disinformation and suppressing TikTok amid reports the White House wants its Chinese owners to sell their stakes in the firm.China has accused the US of spreading disinformation and suppressing TikTok 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".Earlier this week, the prime minister said the UK would "look at what our allies are doing".
Larry the Downing Street cat starred in the most recent No 10 TikTok video during the European championships Larry the Downing Street cat starred in the most recent No 10 TikTok video in the summer of 2021
TikTok 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.TikTok 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.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.Critics fear the policy could expose data on devices used by political leaders and officials to Beijing.
Watch: Ros Atkins on... The creeping TikTok bansWatch: Ros Atkins on... The creeping TikTok bans
Watch: Ros Atkins on... The creeping TikTok bansWatch: Ros Atkins on... The creeping TikTok bans
The UK Parliament closed its TikTok account last August. The Downing Street TikTok page has not been updated since Boris Johnson left office in September last year but others, including Energy Secretary Grant Shapps, have updated their pages more recently. The UK Parliament closed its TikTok account last August. The Downing Street TikTok page has not been updated since Boris Johnson left office in September last year but others including the MoD and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps, have updated their pages more recently.
On Wednesday, Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan, who also has a TikTok account, told MPs the public could go on using the app.On Wednesday, Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan, who also has a TikTok account, told MPs the public could go on using the app.
She said: "It is absolutely a personal choice. But because we have the strongest data protection laws in the world, we are confident that the public can continue to use it."She said: "It is absolutely a personal choice. But because we have the strongest data protection laws in the world, we are confident that the public can continue to use it."
TikTok hosts short-form videos submitted by its users. In 2022, it became the world's most downloaded app.TikTok hosts short-form videos submitted by its users. In 2022, it became the world's most downloaded app.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
TikTokTikTok
Cabinet OfficeCabinet Office
Oliver DowdenOliver Dowden