British parliament blocks TikTok over safety considerations

This comes after Britain final week banned the Chinese-owned video app TikTok on authorities telephones.

London,UPDATED: Mar 24, 2023 02:30 IST

TikTok app brand. (Representational Image/Reuters)

By Reuters:

Britain’s parliament will block TikTok on all units on its community following an analogous ban on authorities units, changing into the newest Western establishment to bar the Chinese-owned video app over safety considerations.

A TikTok spokesperson referred to as the motion “misguided”, saying it was primarily based on basic misconceptions in regards to the firm.

“Following the government’s decision to ban TikTok from government devices, the commissions of both the House of Commons and Lords have decided that TikTok will be blocked from all parliamentary devices and the wider parliamentary network,” a parliament spokesperson mentioned.

Britain final week banned Chinese-owned video app on authorities telephones.

“Cyber security is a top priority for parliament,” the spokesperson added.

ALSO READ | UK proclaims quick ban on TikTok on authorities units

The United States, Canada, Belgium and the European Commission have already banned the app from official units.

“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,” the TikTok spokesperson mentioned in a press release

The spokesperson added that the corporate had begun implementing a plan to additional defend its European consumer information, which incorporates storing UK consumer information in its European information centres and tightening information entry controls.

TikTok has come beneath growing scrutiny resulting from fears that consumer information from the app owned by Beijing-based firm ByteDance may find yourself within the palms of the Chinese authorities, undermining Western safety pursuits.

The British parliament’s ban was introduced as TikTok’s chief government confronted questions from US lawmakers who’re satisfied the app ought to be barred for being a possible nationwide safety risk to the United States.

Published On:

Mar 24, 2023