TikTok will be banned on Government phones after a security review into the app, but you can still use it.
UK citizens can still have the app on their personal phone, and some MPs have even stated that they'll continue to use the app on their personal devices. However, anyone who works for the Government cannot have the app downloaded on a device used for work.
Security minister Tom Tugendhat had asked chiefs at the National Cyber Security Centre to review the video-sharing app. The move follows the USA and EU, both of which have made moves to ban the app over security fears.
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TikTok said bans have been based on “misplaced fears and seemingly driven by wider geopolitics”, saying it would be “disappointed by such a move” in the UK. The app has consistently said that any data is not shared with the Chinese government, but Chinese intelligence legislation requires firms to help the Communist Party when requested.
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What is a government phone?
TikTok is banned on all government phones. A government phone is a phone being used for government work, so may include sensitive information.
Any government workers with a work phone are banned from having the app downloaded on their work phone, although they can have the app on personal phones.
Which MPs use TikTok?
MPs still have the app on their personal phones, and a few have stated they will continue to post videos, including Grant Shapps, Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary. Mr Shapps, who has 14,400 followers, wrote on TikTok: “This morning the Government announced a TikTok ban on Government devices. That’s sensible.
“I’ve never used TikTok on Government devices and can hereby confirm I will NOT be leaving TikTok anytime soon! #politics #news #foryoupage #FYP #trend #wolfofwallstreet #imnotleaving #tiktok.” He posted the caption alongside a clip of Leonardo Di Caprio in The Wolf of Wall Street.
Matt Hancock, former Health minister, and Nadine Dorries, ex-culture secretary both also have accounts.
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also uses the app, and won't be affected by the government ban. Labour’s Zarah Sultana, MP for Coventry South, is the most popular MP on TikTok, with more than 440,000 followers and 7.3 million likes.
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