Institutions and governments put TikTok under security guns

International institutions and governments have put tik tak in their field of vision due to the security concerns caused by this Chinese app and they recommend or explicitly request that it be removed from their official devices.

Community sources confirmed that the European Parliament has taken the decision, as have other institutions. EU, ban chinese app tik tak on the corporate phones of its employees and MEPs, and also recommends not installing it on personal devices.

The suspension of this application on smartphones and tablets of the European Parliament will occur from March 20, these sources specified: tik takdownloaded and installed on these devices should be removed as soon as possible, ”the sources emphasized.

This decision was taken by the European Parliament, taking into account “cyber security considerations”, in particular with regard to data protection and data collection by third parties.

23 February European Commission (EC) and Council European Union (EU) announced that they would do without tik tak on their official mobile devices at a time when they want to better protect their security against an increase in cyberattacks.

The White House has already taken a step

On February 28, the White House announced that it was giving U.S. federal agencies 30 days to eliminate tik tak all government electronic devices.

The order was issued by the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, Shalanda Young, in a memorandum addressed to all government agencies and their private contractors.

Thus, President Joe Biden’s government is implementing a bill passed in the U.S. Congress late last year requiring federal agencies to tik takwhich is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, due to concerns that user data could fall into the hands of the Chinese government.

US officials have expressed concern that the Chinese government could put pressure on ByteDance to hand over information it receives from users. tik takthat can be used for intelligence or disinformation purposes.

China responds

The app currently has about 800 million active users worldwide, and the ban worries Beijing, whose government yesterday accused the United States of “abuse of state power” and its “national security concept” after Washington announced the veto. tik tak government devices.

This was announced on Tuesday at a press conference by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning. USA “abuse” by “unjustified suppression of companies from other countries”. “USA, great strength, shows a lack of self-confidence, fearful of an application popular with young people,” he added.

The Representative called USA “to create an open, fair and non-discriminatory environment for companies from all over the world to invest and operate” in their territory.

days ago tik tak He had already requested a meeting with those responsible for European Union dispel security concerns.

The company said in a statement that it was “surprised” as the public agency had not previously contacted them and “offered no explanation.”

The European Commission met in January with Chinese company CEO Shou Zi Chu, whom it had already threatened to ban its use in European Union if it does not prevent minors from accessing potentially lethal videos” and if it does not prevent the transfer of user data to third countries.

Other governments are acting too

Last Monday, the Canadian government announced a ban from yesterday on the use of the application by federal employees. tik tak to official mobile phones for creating an “unacceptable” risk to your privacy and security.

Mona Fortier, Chairman of the Treasury Board Canadasaid that “Users of these devices will also be blocked from downloading the app in the future. tik takdirector of information systems Canada determined to present an unacceptable level of privacy and security risk,” he explained.

Last week, the Australian Electronic Safety Commission reported that it had turned to social networks Twitter and tik tak and the Google search engine to explain to the authorities their policies and measures to combat the publication of material on the sexual exploitation of children on their platforms.

These companies will have to explain what they have done to combat the growing problems of sexual extortion and the role of algorithms that recommend sexual content and amplify the distribution of this illegal material.

Back in June 2020, India made the decision to block dozens of Chinese apps, including tik takconsidering them “harmful to the sovereignty and integrity” of the country, after an episode of border tension.

In the same year Pakistan banned the app for its “obscene and immoral” content, though later lifted the ban after receiving assurances from a Chinese company that it would block such content. EFE

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