TikTok banned on UK government electronic devices

Social media app TikTok has been banned on UK government electronic devices following a security review, the Cabinet Office has announced.

The review studied “the potential vulnerability” of government data from social media apps on devices and risks around how sensitive information could be accessed and used by some platforms.

UK Security Minister Tom Tugendhat had this week asked the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) to investigate the video-sharing app.

A Cabinet Office statement said: “Given the potentially sensitive nature of information which is stored on government devices, government policy on the management of third party applications will be strengthened and a precautionary ban on TikTok on government devices is being introduced.

“Currently, there is limited use of TikTok within government and limited need for government staff to use the app on work devices.

“This decision is in line with similar restrictions brought in by key international partners, including the US and Canadian governments and the European Commission.”

TikTok requires users to give permission for the app to access data stored on the device, which is then collected and stored by the company.

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

The government, along with international partners, is concerned about the way in which this data may be used. The ban does not extend to personal devices for government employees, ministers or the general public.