The British channel BBC has asked its staff to delete the TikTok application from their corporate devices, unless it is necessary for professional purposes.
This move comes amid a tightening of measures against the Chinese platform in the West, due to fears of data harvesting.
The British corporation has sent a message to its workers informing them that installing TikTok on BBC corporate devices is not recommended, unless there is a valid professional justification. Otherwise, the application must be deleted.
Concerns around TikTok over data security
Western authorities are taking tougher action on this app, owned by Beijing-based company ByteDance, fearing Chinese authorities would gain access to user data around the world.
The United Kingdom has announced an immediate ban on TikTok on government devices for security reasons, following similar measures taken by the European Union and the United States.
From the BBC they claim to take the security of their systems, data and personnel seriously, and although the use of TikTok is still allowed in the company for editorial or marketing purposes, they will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation.
The TikTok app, which allows you to share short videos, is very popular among the youth population. BBC has launched multiple profiles on the app to capture new audiences, and its official account has 4.4 million followers.
Ban in the European Commission
In February, the European Commission banned the use of TikTok on official devices used by its staff, as the EU tries to strengthen its cybersecurity. The measure follows the decision of the United States Congress.
The new ban also means that European Commission staff cannot use the video-sharing app on their personal devices, including phones running official EU communication apps.
Similar measure in the US
The United States has also banned its lawmakers and employees from installing the app on their official phones. President Joe Biden approved a ban on TikTok on devices owned by government agencies in December. Several states, including Texas, Alabama, and Tennessee, as well as other institutions such as the University of Florida, have also adopted this measure.
Some US lawmakers are also trying to ban TikTok from operating in the United States. The controversy over the use of the Chinese application has worsened after it was revealed that ByteDance, the company that owns TikTok, used the social network to spy on journalists.
