"We will do so with immediate effect."
Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Dowden has announced that TikTok will be banned from UK government phones amid security concerns around the Chinese-owned video app.
In a statement to parliament, he said there “could” be a risk to how government data and information is used by the app.
Mr Dowden said: “Social media apps collect and store huge amounts of user data, including contacts, user content and geolocation data.
“On Government devices, that data can be sensitive and so today we’re strengthening the security of those devices in two key respects.
“First, we’re moving to a system where Government devices will only be able to access third-party apps that are on a pre-approved list.
“This system is already in place across many departments, now it will be the rule across Government.
“Second, we’re also going to ban the use of TikTok on Government devices.
“We will do so with immediate effect. This is a precautionary move. We know that there is already limited use of TikTok across Government but it is also good cyber hygiene.
“Given the particular risk around Government devices which may contain sensitive information, it is both prudent and proportionate to restrict the use of certain apps – particularly when it comes to apps where a large amount of data can be stored and accessed.”
TikTok has been under increasing scrutiny over its security, with concerns it could be used to promote pro-Beijing views or gather user data.
This is something TikTok strongly denies.
The EU Commission and more than half of US states and Congress have already introduced a ban over concerns around potential cyber-attacks.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak previously hinted at following suit, saying the UK will “look at what our allies are doing”.
The UK parliament shut down its own account in 2022 after MPs raised concerns about the firm’s links to China.
Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said the public can continue to use the app.
She said:
“In terms of the general public, 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.”
But TikTok has called government bans “misguided and based on fundamental misconceptions”.
A spokesperson for TikTok said: “Similar decisions elsewhere have been based on misplaced fears and seemingly driven by wider geopolitics, but we remain committed to working with the government to address any concerns.”
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