The British Parliament has taken a firm stance against the Chinese-owned video app TikTok due to cybersecurity concerns, joining the UK government in banning the app. The move was announced just as TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, was appearing before a US congressional hearing over the app’s alleged ties to the Chinese communist government.
As part of the ban, TikTok will no longer be accessible via Parliament’s internet network, which means lawmakers will need to rely on alternative video-sharing platforms. Cybersecurity is a top priority for Parliament, which explains the tough stance against the app.
Individual lawmakers who are avid TikTok users, such as energy security secretary Grant Shapps, will still be allowed to use the app on their personal devices. However, they will not be able to access the app when connected to Parliament’s WiFi network.
The UK government had previously announced a security ban on TikTok for all government devices. This is consistent with actions taken by the US and the European Union.
The devolved government of Scotland has also followed suit and will prohibit the use of the app on official devices.
ByteDance, the company that owns TikTok, and the Chinese government have dismissed the security fears over the app and denounced the Western bans as politically motivated.
In conclusion, the ban on TikTok by the British Parliament highlights growing concerns over the app’s cybersecurity risks. It remains to be seen whether other governments will take similar measures to protect their networks from potential security breaches.
