Parliament will ban Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok from “all parliamentary devices and the wider parliamentary network,” citing the need for cybersecurity.
The move goes beyond last week’s ban on the app on government phones and mobile devices, covering the entire parliamentary network. That means parliamentarians and staff who continue to have TikTok installed on their personal devices will find the service blocked if they try to access it via parliamentary Wi-Fi.
A parliament spokesperson said on Thursday: “Following the government’s decision to ban TikTok on government devices, committees in both the House of Commons and Lords have decided that TikTok will be blocked from all parliamentary and network devices.” Parliamentarian in general.
“Cybersecurity is a top priority for parliament. However, we do not comment on specific details of our cyber or physical security controls, policies, or incidents.”
Multiple MPs have been outspoken in their desire to continue posting to the social video app even after the government ban. Grant Shapps, the secretary of state for energy security, responded to the ban last week by posting a redacted clip from the movie Wolf of Wall Street, where Leonardo Dicaprio’s character exclaims “I’m not leaving” after deciding to fight the regulators.
Other MPs on the platform include Conservatives Luke Evans and Marco Longhi, Labor Zarah Sultana and former health secretary Matt Hancock, who had his Conservative party whip suspended in 2022 for appearing on the TV show I’m a celebrity.
Parliamentarians, including Shapps, will still be able to post to the platform from their own personal devices, but not through parliamentary networks.
The latest ban was announced as TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew was testifying before a US House committee. A US decision to ban federal employees from installing TikTok on work devices prompted a wave of similar bans around the world.
The Scottish government has also banned TikTok on its mobile phones and other corporate devices following discussions with the UK government.
Scotland’s Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Scottish Government managed devices are configured in accordance with the best practice of the National Center for Cyber Security, which helps us to manage any risks associated with the use of third party applications. .
“Our decision to ban the use of TikTok follows engagement with the UK government about the potential tracking and privacy risks of certain social media apps.
“Currently, there is limited use of TikTok within government and a limited need for staff to use the app on work devices. This ban will be implemented immediately. It does not extend to personal devices used by staff or the general public.”
