Global site navigation

BBC urges staff to ditch TikTok over data fears
Business and Economy

BBC urges staff to ditch TikTok over data fears

by  AFP 1 min read
The BBC sent staff a message saying: 'We don't recommend installing TikTok on a BBC corporate device unless there is a justified business reason'
The BBC sent staff a message saying: 'We don't recommend installing TikTok on a BBC corporate device unless there is a justified business reason'. Photo: Susannah Ireland / AFP
Source: AFP

PAY ATTENTION: Enjoy reading our stories? Join YEN.com.gh's Telegram channel for more!

The BBC said Monday that it had told staff to delete Chinese-owned video app TikTok unless it was needed for business reasons, with Western institutions increasingly taking a harder stance over data collection fears.

The British broadcasting giant reported that it sent staff a message on Sunday saying: "We don't recommend installing TikTok on a BBC corporate device unless there is a justified business reason.

"If you do not need TikTok for business reasons, TikTok should be deleted," it added.

Western authorities have been taking an increasingly firm approach to the app, owned by the firm ByteDance, citing fears that user data could be used or abused by Chinese officials.

The UK on Thursday announced a security ban on TikTok on government devices, in line with action by the European Union and the United States.

Read also

Huawei has replaced thousands of US-banned parts with Chinese versions: founder

The BBC told AFP on Monday that it "takes the safety and security of our systems, data and people incredibly seriously".

PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see YEN.com.gh News on your News Feed!

It added that while usage of TikTok on its corporate devices is still permitted for editorial and marketing purposes, "we will continue to monitor and assess the situation".

The broadcaster has launched multiple pages on the app as it attempts to reach new audiences, and its official account has 4.4 million followers.

ByteDance has long insisted that it does not keep data in China or share it with Beijing.

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.

Hot: