The British Parliament has announced that it will be banning TikTok from all parliamentary devices and the wider parliamentary network. This move is in line with the UK government's decision
to ban the Chinese-owned video app on government devices last week, following similar action taken by the European Union and the United States.
Individual lawmakers who are avid users of TikTok, such as Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps, will still be able to use the app on their personal phones, but not when connected to parliament's WiFi network. Shapps, who has over 14,000 followers on TikTok, has stated that he will comply with the ban on his government phone but will continue to use the app on his personal devices.
The decision by the British Parliament to ban TikTok comes as the app's chief executive, Shou Zi Chew, appeared before a hostile US Congress over its alleged ties to the communist government in Beijing. The Chinese government and TikTok's owner, ByteDance, have dismissed security concerns surrounding the app and have denounced the Western bans as politically motivated.
The ban on TikTok by the British Parliament highlights the growing concerns over Chinese-owned tech companies and their potential ties to the Chinese government. Cybersecurity has become a top priority for governments worldwide, as they seek to protect their citizens from potential security threats.
The decision by the Scottish government to ban TikTok on its official devices also underscores the global concern over the security implications of Chinese-owned tech companies. Governments are increasingly taking action to mitigate potential security risks posed by these companies.
The ban on TikTok by the British Parliament and the Scottish government is likely to be a blow to the app's popularity in the UK. However, individual users who are not connected to government or parliamentary networks will still be able to access the app on their personal devices.
In conclusion, the ban on TikTok by the British Parliament and the Scottish government highlights the growing concerns over cybersecurity and potential security threats posed by Chinese-owned tech companies. The decision to ban the app on official devices is likely to have implications for the app's popularity in the UK. However, individual users will still be able to access the app on their personal devices. Photo by Solen Feyissa, Wikimedia commons.