There’s a TikTok ban in the UK Parliament over fears around China’s connection to the popular platform
Downing Street and senior ministers are being urged to shut down their TikTok accounts amid rising tensions with Beijing.
Conservatives have been pushing for the UK Parliament’s account to be closed. British MPs said they had not been informed about the account, and shared concerns over security.
“In light of your feedback and concerns expressed to us, we have decided that the account should be closed with immediate effect.”
Lindsay Hoyle, HOUSE OF Commons Speaker
Iain Duncan Smith is a Conservative MP, who is urging Downing Street and senior ministers with TikTok accounts to abandon the platform.
“[It] should send a strong signal to everybody else that they shouldn’t be setting up TikTok accounts because they’re a threat,” he said.
Some MPs have been reportedly sanctioned by Beijing for speaking out against alleged human rights abuses.
“While it is important to reach people through a wide range of channels, we would never jeopardise our security and take all our arrangements extremely seriously.”
DOWNING STREET SPOKESPERSON
TikTok has reportedly offered to meet the MPs and share their processes for protecting data.
“While it is disappointing that Parliament will no longer be able to connect with the millions of people who use TikTok in the UK, we reiterate the offer to reassure those members of Parliament who raised concerns and clarify any inaccuracies about our platform,” a company spokesperson said.
