TikTok is expected to be banned from UK government phones later today, Sky News has been told.
Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Dowden is due to make a statement to Parliament this afternoon on the “security of government equipment” and is understood to be confirming the ban.
The Chinese-owned video-sharing app has been under increasing scrutiny Security and Data Privacyfearing it could be used to promote pro-Beijing views or collect user data — something Tik Tok Strongly deny.
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European Commission More than half of U.S. states and Congress have enacted bans amid concerns over potential cyberattacks.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hinted it would follow suit, saying Britain would “see what our allies are doing”.
Earlier this week, Security Minister Tom Tugendhat told Sky News he had asked the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) to investigate the app because it was critical to keeping the UK’s “free and safe diplomatic process”. “absolutely necessary”.
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But TikTok called the government ban “misguided and based on a fundamental misunderstanding.”
In response to Mr Tugendhat’s remarks last week, a spokesman for the app said the company would be “disappointed” if the UK government banned it.
“Similar decisions elsewhere have been based on misplaced fears and appear to be driven by broader geopolitics, but we remain committed to working with the government to resolve any issues,” they added.