EU Council Asks Staff to Delete TikTok from Work and Personal Phones — Retail Bum

Two of the European Union’s most prominent policy-making organizations have banned TikTok from staff phones, citing cybersecurity risks.

The decision comes at a time when there is growing concern among governments globally about the Chinese government’s access to and use of data to advance its interests.

“To increase its cybersecurity, the Commission’s Corporate Management Board has decided to suspend the use of the TikTok application on its corporate devices and on personal devices enrolled in the Commission mobile device service,” the EU institution said in a statement.

“This measure aims to protect the Commission against cybersecurity threats and actions which may be exploited for cyber-attacks against the corporate environment of the Commission,” it added.

The mandate would require the staff of the EU council, which includes representatives from all member states, to remove the TikTok app from their personal devices with access to EU Council services.

In response to the ban, TikTok said it was disappointed in the decision and had not been directly contacted by the Commission or offered any explanation.