Government announces TikTok ban

       0 seconds of 1 minute, 12 seconds Volume 90%

       Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts Keyboard Shortcuts EnabledDisabled

       Shortcuts Open/Close / or ?

       Play/Pause SPACE

       Increase Volume ↑

       Decrease Volume ↓

       Seek Forward →

       Seek Backward ←

       Captions On/Off c

       Fullscreen/Exit Fullscreen f

       Mute/Unmute m

       Decrease Caption Size -

       Increase Caption Size + or =

       Seek % 0-9

       twitter facebook Email Link https://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/gBDBdrmw Copied

       Live

       00:00

       01:12

       01:12

       Downing Street has warned that Britain’s top security boffins are monitoring any potential national security threat from social media app TikTok, after the US passed a landmark bill that could lead to its ban in months.

       This week the House of Representatives passed a new law giving the Beijing-based owners of TikTok, ByteDance, six months to sell the social media site or face it being blocked from US users’ phones.

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Link Sponsored Link

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Expert Vet Saddened That Most Cat Parents Are Making This Huge MistakeDr. Marty Learn More

       Undo

       While TikTok boss Shou Zi Chou has insisted that data on the social media platform is “free from outside manipulation”, many China hawks worry that the hit app could be used by the Chinese Communist Party for nefarious means.

       Following Joe Biden saying he will sign the US anti-TikTok Bill into law, pressure is mounting on Britain to follow suit.

       The Government banned the app from civil servants’ and ministers’ phones in March last year, however still allow the public to download it.

       Sponsored

       YourPennySaver Learn More

       Seniors on SS Are Now Entitled To These 12 "Kickbacks" In March (Tap For Full List)

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       READ MORE: Grant Shapps vows to keep using TikTok after new UK ban announced

       Mr Sunak announced a ban on TikTok for government phones last year (Image: Getty)

       The Prime Minister’s spokesman has now said that while using the app remains a “personal choice’ for Brits, security chiefs will be keeping “all these issues under review”.

       However Mr Sunak’s spokesman warned a US-style ban is not off the cards.

       He told reporters: “Obviously it’s a matter for the US lawmakers in terms of the Bill today. For our part, ensuring the security of UK data is a priority for the government.

       “Our experts will continue to monitor threats to our data and we will not hesitate to take action if necessary to protect our national security.”

       Don't miss...

       Outrage as MPs set to earn ￡91,000 a year after huge pay rise [LATEST]

       Labour star candidate darts from man’s doorstep during immigration debate [LATEST]

       Diane Abbott ignored more than 40 times by Speaker Lindsay Hoyle during PMQs [LATEST]

       US Lawmakers could ban the app in 6 months if its owners don't sell up (Image: Getty)

       SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

       We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

       Yesterday a Tory peer Lord Bethell backed the United States’ ban, warning: “The lack of transparency and respect for normal business practices have led to questions about surveillance, influence and harmful algorithms. As a society, it’s time to address these concerns and prioritise our national security and safety of our children.”

       When the Government banned TikTok from official phones last year, former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said the ban didn’t go far enough.

       He said the UK “can’t stop there”, adding: “The reality is that even though government phones will have this taken out of them… the key thing here is that private telephones remain on their desks. Private phones are used for communications.

       “I honestly don’t believe… that these phones will never be used for government business. They will be, they are, and there’s no way of stopping that to some degree.

       “So can he not now say any government minister or senior official that has their private phone with TikTok should remove it because that gets rid of the risk.”

       Trending

       FBI director Christopher Wray previously told a US Senate Committee that the app “screams” of a national security concern.

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Princess Kate's big decision after surgery has huge public support: new poll

       53 Comments

       Penniless pensioners ‘forced to sit in the dark and eat dog food' fear Budget ‘clobbering'

       2020 Comments

       Britons paying ‘astronomical' prices for top UK attractions

       1 Comments

       We need to spend much more on defence and spend it more wisely, writes Stuart Crawford

       9 Comments

       Joe Biden snubs UK and shelves plan for trade agreement in huge blow to Rishi Sunak

       2267 Comments

       NS&I responds as Premium Bonds customer slams 'appalling' phoneline after 7 failed calls

       4 Comments

       Kemi signs ￡12trillion treaty in breakthrough for Brexit Britain - couldn't be done in EU

       7126 Comments

       Tory MPs demand more tax cuts to defeat Labour in General Election

       111 Comments

       'Unacceptable' subscription traps are costing Brits ￡688m a year, warns Citizens Advice

       3 Comments

       Pay-per-mile car tax schemes must address 'serious concerns over privacy'

       9 Comments

       Inheritance tax changes: New rules for 'non-doms' explained after Spring Budget

       3 Comments

       NS&I warns customer their Premium Bonds could become illegal to hold

       Comments

       Angry farmers warn Rishi Sunak they will desert Tories at election if rural voters ignored

       434 Comments

       An update on compensation for WASPI women expected 'in the coming weeks'

       91 Comments

       TikTok hits out at 'secret' plan to ban app - says bill was 'jammed through' House

       10 Comments

       Xi's right-hand man delivers hammer blow to China economy with major snub to investors

       1 Comments

       ‘Keir Starmer's Cabinet plan reminds me of Chinese Communist Party', says Gordon Brown

       228 Comments

       British ISA under fire as 'niche' product may fall foul of financial rules

       5 Comments

       MPs brace for outrage with another inflation-busting pay rise taking salaries over ￡91,000

       270 Comments

       Prince Harry and Meghan Markle told to launch glitzy celeb chat show in brand relaunch

       115 Comments

       Princess Kate's big decision after surgery has huge public support: new poll

       53 Comments

       Penniless pensioners ‘forced to sit in the dark and eat dog food' fear Budget ‘clobbering'

       2020 Comments

       Britons paying ‘astronomical' prices for top UK attractions

       1 Comments

       We need to spend much more on defence and spend it more wisely, writes Stuart Crawford

       9 Comments

       Joe Biden snubs UK and shelves plan for trade agreement in huge blow to Rishi Sunak

       2267 Comments

       NS&I responds as Premium Bonds customer slams 'appalling' phoneline after 7 failed calls

       4 Comments

       Kemi signs ￡12trillion treaty in breakthrough for Brexit Britain - couldn't be done in EU

       7126 Comments

       Tory MPs demand more tax cuts to defeat Labour in General Election

       111 Comments

       'Unacceptable' subscription traps are costing Brits ￡688m a year, warns Citizens Advice

       3 Comments

       Pay-per-mile car tax schemes must address 'serious concerns over privacy'

       9 Comments

       Inheritance tax changes: New rules for 'non-doms' explained after Spring Budget

       3 Comments

       NS&I warns customer their Premium Bonds could become illegal to hold

       Comments

       Angry farmers warn Rishi Sunak they will desert Tories at election if rural voters ignored

       434 Comments

       An update on compensation for WASPI women expected 'in the coming weeks'

       91 Comments

       TikTok hits out at 'secret' plan to ban app - says bill was 'jammed through' House

       10 Comments

       Xi's right-hand man delivers hammer blow to China economy with major snub to investors

       1 Comments

       ‘Keir Starmer's Cabinet plan reminds me of Chinese Communist Party', says Gordon Brown

       228 Comments

       British ISA under fire as 'niche' product may fall foul of financial rules

       5 Comments

       MPs brace for outrage with another inflation-busting pay rise taking salaries over ￡91,000

       270 Comments

       Prince Harry and Meghan Markle told to launch glitzy celeb chat show in brand relaunch

       115 Comments

       Princess Kate's big decision after surgery has huge public support: new poll

       53 Comments

       Penniless pensioners ‘forced to sit in the dark and eat dog food' fear Budget ‘clobbering'

       2020 Comments

       Britons paying ‘astronomical' prices for top UK attractions

       1 Comments

       We need to spend much more on defence and spend it more wisely, writes Stuart Crawford

       9 Comments

       Joe Biden snubs UK and shelves plan for trade agreement in huge blow to Rishi Sunak

       2267 Comments

       NS&I responds as Premium Bonds customer slams 'appalling' phoneline after 7 failed calls

       4 Comments

       Kemi signs ￡12trillion treaty in breakthrough for Brexit Britain - couldn't be done in EU

       7126 Comments

       He warned that the Chinese government could use TikTok to control the data of millions of US users.

       A spokesman for TikTok said: "With Project Clover, we’re investing ￡10 billion in industry-leading data safeguards for our UK and European users, including independent oversight of our data security from UK cybersecurity firm NCC Group”.

       TikTok’s parent company Bytedance is around 60% owned by global institutional investors, such as Blackrock and General Atlantic, 20% owned by employees around the world, including 7000 Americans, and 20% owned by the founder. In Europe, TikTok is incorporated in the UK.

       Related articles Lee Anderson joins Reform in move which leaves 'serious questions' about Sunak Lee Anderson’s Reform UK defection is catastrophe for Rishi Sunak's election Trump has just declared war on EU – and it will infuriate Ursula von der Leyen Sunak and Starmer are keener to call each other racist than tackle tax burden Clue pinpoints date for general election but there could be a surprise in store