Cabinet Minister Addresses Concerns
A Cabinet Minister in the UK has assured the public that TikTok is safe in Britain for the time being, stating that the platform, known for people "posting videos of their cats," does not pose a national security threat. This comes amid calls from China critics to ban the app over potential spying and data harvesting concerns.
No Immediate Plans for Ban
Treasury Chief Secretary Darren Jones emphasized that there are currently no plans to ban TikTok in the UK, despite recent actions in the US where millions of Americans were denied access to the app following concerns. He mentioned that national security and data privacy issues will be closely monitored but stressed that the UK will not follow the US path unless a credible threat emerges.
Government Devices Excluded
While TikTok is not permitted on government devices due to sensitive information concerns, Jones highlighted that for regular consumers who use the platform for harmless activities like posting cat videos or dancing clips, the app does not pose a significant security risk.
Political Standpoint
Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel stated that there is a clear approach in the UK regarding China's platforms and security issues they may raise. She mentioned that the UK will be observing developments in the US regarding TikTok and the concerns surrounding it but noted that there are no current plans to ban the app in the UK.
When asked if TikTok would face a ban in the UK, Dame Priti mentioned that it is not under consideration at the moment, highlighting the importance of monitoring actions taken by other countries in relation to the app.
