# UK joins US, EU in banning TikTok from government phones  
**Published:** 2023-03-16T15:57:46.000Z  
**Source:** [WEKU 88.9 FM](https://www.weku.org/local-news/2023-03-16/the-u-k-is-the-latest-to-ban-tiktok-on-government-phones-because-of-security-concerns)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/uk-joins-us-eu-in-banning-tiktok-from-government-phones

British authorities have banned TikTok from government mobile phones, citing security concerns about the Chinese-owned video-sharing app, according to [WEKU 88.9 FM](https://www.weku.org/local-news/2023-03-16/the-u-k-is-the-latest-to-ban-tiktok-on-government-phones-because-of-security-concerns).

The move makes the United Kingdom the latest major democratic nation to restrict the popular platform on official devices, following similar actions by the [U.S. government](https://www.congress.gov/) and the European Union. Officials have raised concerns about data security and potential access to sensitive government information through the app.

TikTok, owned by Chinese technology company ByteDance, has faced increasing scrutiny in Western nations over concerns that the Chinese government could compel the company to share user data or access information stored on devices where the app is installed. The platform's algorithm and data practices have drawn particular attention from lawmakers and security experts.

The U.S. has taken aggressive steps to restrict TikTok, with Congress considering legislation that could force ByteDance to divest its ownership stake in the American version of the app or face a ban entirely. Multiple federal agencies have already restricted employee access to the platform on government devices.

The European Union's restrictions on TikTok for government employees have similarly focused on protecting sensitive information and preventing potential espionage or data exploitation. EU officials cited concerns about geopolitical tensions and data protection standards.

TikTok has repeatedly denied allegations that it poses a security threat and has worked to address concerns by storing U.S. user data domestically and implementing various safeguards. The company argues that it maintains strict data protection measures and is not controlled by the Chinese government.

The coordinated bans reflect broader concerns among Western governments about the security implications of allowing employees to use Chinese-owned technology platforms that could potentially be exploited for surveillance or intelligence gathering. As tensions between the U.S. and China continue, restrictions on Chinese tech platforms are likely to expand.

## Sources

- [WEKU 88.9 FM](https://www.weku.org/local-news/2023-03-16/the-u-k-is-the-latest-to-ban-tiktok-on-government-phones-because-of-security-concerns)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from WEKU 88.9 FM. The original source is available at https://www.weku.org/local-news/2023-03-16/the-u-k-is-the-latest-to-ban-tiktok-on-government-phones-because-of-security-concerns.