TikTok stays banned on all UK authorities telephones – regardless of ministers launching an official account, Downing Avenue has mentioned.
The ‘ukgov’ account was created final week and has thus far posted a sequence of public service messages, on subjects together with digital driving licences and Labour’s plan to spice up neighbourhood policing.
Quantity 10 has indicated a safety exemption has been made for the account, insisting the ban on TikTok on official authorities gadgets – which began in 2023 – stays in place.
The ban was launched after a evaluate by Rishi Sunak’s authorities amid safety considerations about TikTok’s proprietor, the Beijing-based firm ByteDance.
Requested in regards to the new TikTok account, the prime minister’s official spokesman advised reporters: “We have at all times mentioned that we preserve the best way wherein we talk with the general public below evaluate to guarantee that we’re reaching individuals with data on authorities providers and the way we’re bettering the lives of working individuals, and we at all times preserve social media practices below evaluate.”
He added: “According to safety recommendation, we have been permitted using a UK authorities TikTok account… below particular circumstances.”
When requested in regards to the ban, the spokesman added there have been “no modifications to the safety coverage”.
“Restrictions on using the app on most authorities gadgets stay in place,” he mentioned. “It was at all times the case that there have been particular exemptions for using TikTok on authorities gadgets the place required for work functions, and people exemptions are solely granted by safety groups on a case-by-case foundation and with safety mitigations put in place.
“That’s what has occurred within the case of the UK Authorities TikTok account.”
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The spokesman didn’t touch upon whether or not security measures imply there are particular authorities cellular gadgets designated for utilizing TikTok.
In 2022, a UK parliament TikTok account was closed down amid safety fears.
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The ukgov account launch comes as Sir Keir Starmer’s authorities is striving for hotter relations with China – one of many UK’s largest commerce and funding companions.
Its most seen video – which lists authorities pledges comparable to lowering NHS ready occasions and constructing extra properties – has been seen simply over 12,000 occasions. The account presently has greater than 360 followers.
Amid the push to strengthen the UK’s ties with China, International Secretary David Lammy will this week meet along with his Chinese language counterpart Wang Yi in London.
