The UK government has announced a security ban on the Chinese-owned video app TikTok on government devices.Information Guide Nigeria
According to VANGUARD, this is in line with action by the European Union and the United States.
Cabinet Office minister, Oliver Dowden told parliament, “We will do so with immediate effect.”
Recently, Western authorities have been taking an increasingly firm approach to the app, owned by the firm Bytedance, citing fears that user data could be used or abused by Chinese officials.
The minister said that experts had conducted a risk assessment of third-party apps in relation to sensitive government data.
Government devices will only be allowed to access apps on a pre-approved list.
VANGUARD reports that Dowen said, The ban will apply to “government corporate devices” used by ministers and ministries, but not apply to personal devices or the wider public.
“This is a proportionate move.”
The minister urged users to exercise “caution” before downloading apps.
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According to VANGUARD, ByteDance has long insisted that it does not keep data in China or share it with Beijing.NYSC Portal
Also, US officials have said that if TikTok parts ways with ByteDance it would avoid a wider national ban.
Speaking on this, the foreign ministry in Beijing called on Washington to stop “unreasonably suppressing” TikTok, which claims more than a billion global users.
Spokesperson, Wang Wenbin told reporters, “The US has so far failed to produce evidence that TikTok threatens US national security,”
Since its departure from the European Union, the UK is seeking new markets and influence in Asia, in part to counter China.
The UK plans is the strengthening of security agencies to improve the resilience of critical infrastructure.
It previously sparked anger in China by banning the involvement of tech firm Huawei in the roll-out of the country’s 5G network.
According to VANGUARD, UK also blocked Chinese takeovers of UK electronics groups and removed China General Nuclear from construction of a new power station.
In addition, Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak promised to get tough on China, calling the Asian superpower the “number one threat” to domestic and global security when he bid unsuccessfully to take over from Boris Johnson in July.
VANGUARD reports that he claimed at the time that China was “stealing our technology and infiltrating our universities”.
However, since replacing Johnson’s successor Liz Truss in Downing Street, Sunak has also stressed the need to stay engaged with China.JAMB Result
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