TIKTOK will be BANNED on Parliamentary devices in Westminster amid major fears it could be used by the Chinese government to spy on Britain.
Anyone with a phone or iPad provided by the Commons or Lords will now be blocked from accessing the popular app.
It comes as last week ministers were told TikTok would no longer be allowed on government phones.
In an email to staff, Parliamentary officials said: “Cyber security is a top priority for us all and we believe that this is a necessary step to ensure our parliamentary digital devices remain as secure as possible.”
MPs, journalists and staff who work in the Commons won’t be able to access TikTok on personal phones either if the device is connected to Parliament’s Wi-Fi system.
Officials haven’t tried to bring in a ban on personal devices.
But in the same email they warned: “For any colleagues who wish to continue using TikTok on a non-parliamentary personal device, the Parliamentary Digital Service advise, in line with wider guidance, that using the web browser version is preferable to downloading the app.”
Today the Scottish Government also decided to block TikTok from its mobile phones.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Our decision to prohibit the use of TikTok follows engagement with the UK Government on the potential tracking and privacy risks from certain social media apps.
“Currently there is limited use of TikTok within government and limited need for staff to use the app on work devices. This ban will be implemented immediately. It does not extend to personal devices used by staff or the general public.”
TikTok, owned by Chinese technology giant ByteDance, has amassed more than 1billion users worldwide since it launched six years ago.
A string of countries have banned the app on sensitive devices, including the EU and the US, over concerns about the amount of data that they are getting about top officials.
A spokesperson for TikTok said: “We believe this action is misguided and based on fundamental misconceptions about our company.
“TikTok is enjoyed by millions of people in the UK, and potentially depriving users from access to and engagement with their representatives is a self-defeating step, especially in our shared fight against misinformation.
“We are disappointed that, despite our requests, we have not been offered any opportunity to address concerns and only ask to be judged on facts and treated equally to our competitors.”
