Cat and dancing videos don’t appear to pose a national security risk, a senior UK Cabinet minister has said, confirming that there are no current plans to ban TikTok in the UK.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones stated that the UK Government does not intend to follow the United States, which has recently taken action to restrict access to TikTok on prominent app stores. However, Mr. Jones indicated that the situation could change if a credible threat arises in the future.
ByteDance and US concerns
The social media platform's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, has faced intense scrutiny in the United States, where it is viewed as a potential national security risk due to its Chinese ownership. On Friday, TikTok lost an appeal in the US Supreme Court to have a ban overturned on free speech grounds, with the court unanimously upholding the law.
This follows a law signed in April by US President Joe Biden, which gave TikTok a deadline of January 19 to separate its US operations from ByteDance. The Biden administration has maintained that the company’s ties to China pose risks, including potential access to sensitive user data.
UK's position on TikTok
Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Mr. Jones emphasized the UK’s approach to evaluating technology-related risks.
“We always keep these issues under consideration, whether for national security or data privacy concerns,” he said. “We have laws and processes in place to address these matters, and there are no plans to ban TikTok in the UK right now. However, this could change if we identify a significant threat in the future.”
While the Government prohibits TikTok on official devices due to sensitive information, Mr. Jones downplayed the platform’s risks for general users. “For consumers who want to post videos of their cats or dancing, that doesn’t seem like a national security threat to me,” he added.
Shadow foreign secretary weighs in
Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel also commented on the issue, emphasizing the need for vigilance regarding TikTok’s links to China. Speaking on the same programme, she noted that while she is not currently advocating for a ban, the UK must closely monitor international developments.
“We have a clear approach to China and its platforms, which raise valid security concerns,” Dame Patel said. “It’s important to learn from the actions taken in countries like the United States before forming policy decisions here in the UK.”
When asked directly about supporting a TikTok ban, she responded, “It’s too simplistic to decide on an outright ban without first assessing the lessons and concerns raised internationally. We must use this information to inform our own decisions.”
While the Government maintains its position, the debate around TikTok’s potential security risks underscores the growing scrutiny of tech platforms with ties to foreign states. For now, UK users can continue enjoying TikTok’s lighthearted content, with the government keeping a watchful eye on potential risks. Photo by Solen Feyissa, Wikimedia commons.