The Greater London Authority (GLA) has announced that TikTok will no longer be accessible on official London City Hall devices, due to security concerns. The decision follows similar bans imposed by the governments of England, Scotland, and other countries. The devolution rules of the UK allow for certain areas to make their own policies, leading to unique bans in some regions. In response to the ban, a TikTok spokesperson said that the move was based on “fundamental misconceptions” and geopolitical issues. The parent company of TikTok, ByteDance, has faced criticism for employing Chinese Communist Party members and following the regime’s National Intelligence Law. The Chinese government has also opposed ByteDance’s forced separation from TikTok, leading to potential issues surrounding technology export and Chinese law. Meanwhile, Shou Zi Chew, TikTok’s CEO, faced questions from the US House Energy and Commerce Committee about concerns such as data privacy, censorship, and the Uyghur genocide.
London City Hall prohibits TikTok use.
