TikTok is anticipated to be banned from UK authorities telephones later at present, Sky News understands.
Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden will make an announcement to Parliament this afternoon on “the security of government devices”, the place it’s understood he’ll affirm the ban.
The Chinese-owned video-sharing app has been underneath rising scrutiny over its safety and knowledge privateness, with issues it could possibly be used to advertise pro-Beijing views or collect person knowledge – one thing TikTok strongly denies.
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The EU Commission and greater than half of US states and Congress have already launched a ban over issues round potential cyber assaults.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has hinted at following go well with, saying the UK will “look at what our allies are doing”.
Earlier this week, safety minister Tom Tugendhat advised Sky News he had requested the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to look into the app because it was “absolutely essential” to maintain the UK’s “diplomatic processes free and safe”.
The UK’s parliament shut down its personal account final yr after MPs raised issues in regards to the agency’s hyperlinks to China.
But TikTok has known as authorities bans “misguided and based on fundamental misconceptions”.
Responding to Mr Tugendhat’s remarks final week, a spokesman for the app mentioned the corporate could be “disappointed” if the UK authorities banned it.
They added: “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.”
Source: information.sky.com”
