TikTok will be the official entertainment partner for the Eurovision Song Contest for a second year amid mounting security concerns.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) selected the social media platform to livestream the competition as well as release exclusive performances and behind-the-scenes content.
The announcement come in the same week as the UK Parliament banned the Chinese-owned app on all government devices and the wider parliamentary network as the government ramps up cyber security.
‘Millions of new Eurovision Song Contest fans discovered the event through TikTok last year and we know millions more will be excited by this year’s extra special event in Liverpool,’ said Martin Osterdahl, the EBU’s executive supervisor for Eurovision.
‘Both the Eurovision Song Contest and TikTok provide an international platform for discovering fresh new music and artists and we look forward to working together in creating more huge hits in 2023.’
TikTok is also partnering with Visit Liverpool after the city was chosen to host the contest on behalf of last year’s winners Ukraine due to the Russian invasion.
The social media app will promote busking sites in the city and host performances in the Eurovision Village, the official fanzone on Friday May 12 from 6.30pm.
‘We’re delighted to be partnering with TikTok, showcasing our iconic city on a global stage and telling the authentic story of Liverpool through the eyes of visitors – the content creators,’ said Susan Finnegan, Culture Liverpool commercial director.
‘We’ve seen Eurovision legends start their journeys on TikTok – like the UK’s Sam Ryder – and Eurovision songs thrive on the platform well beyond the contest itself, like Maneskin’s Zitti E Buoni,’ said Rich Waterworth, TikTok general manager operations Europe.
British TikTok star Ryder, 33, was runner-up in 2022 to Ukrainian folk rap band Kalush Orchestra.
TikTok is owned by Chinese internet company ByteDance, which argues that it does not share data with China, but Beijing’s intelligence legislation requires firms to help the Communist Party when requested.
Following the Government announcing earlier in the week it was banning TikTok from official devices, the House of Commons and Lords said it would also be barred across the Palace of Westminster.
‘Cyber security is a top priority for Parliament, however we do not comment on specific details of our cyber or physical security controls, policies or incidents.’ said a Parliment spokesperson.
TikTok said last week it was ‘disappointed’ by the move that was based ‘on fundamental misconceptions and driven by wider geopolitics’.
The company also hihlighted that it was implementing a comprehensive plan to further protect European user data, which includes storing UK user data in European data centres and tightening data access controls.
BBC, which is organising this year’s Eurovision as national broadcaster, has also advised staff to delete TikTok from work phones this week.
‘The BBC takes the safety and security of our systems, data and people incredibly seriously. We constantly review activity on third-party platforms – including TikTok – and will continue to do so,’ said a spokesperson for the BBC.
The BBC allows staff to use the app on corporate devices for editorial and marketing purposes.
It said it will continue to use TikTok to promote its content, including news stories, but will be regularly assessing the situation.
TikTok will livestream the two Eurovision semi-finals, on Tuesday May 9 and Thursday May 13, as well as the grand final on Saturday May 13.
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