Staff at London City Hall will no longer have TikTok on their devices in the latest ban imposed on the Chinese-owned social media app over security concerns.
The Greater London Authority (GLA) said it had put in place the rule because it takes information security “extremely seriously”.
It comes after the UK government banned ministers from using the video-sharing app on their work phones following a security review.
The House of Commons and Lords also cited security concerns as they decided to ban the app at the Palace of Westminster.
The Scottish government is banning official tools over concerns “over potential tracking and privacy risks from some social media apps”.
A GLA spokesman said: “The GLA takes information security very seriously.
“In line with the government’s decision, TikTok will no longer be available on GLA devices.”
TikTok, owned by Chinese internet company ByteDance, argues that it does not share data with China.
However, Beijing’s intelligence law requires the firms to help the Communist Party when requested.
London City Hall staff will no longer have TikTok on their devices (Anthony Devlin/PA)
When the UK government announced its ban last week, citing the risk to “sensitive” data, Beijing reacted angrily.
The Chinese embassy in the UK described it as a move “based on its political motive rather than facts” and said it would “ultimately harm the UK’s own interests”.
A spokesperson for TikTok said: “As we’ve said, we believe these bans are based on fundamental misconceptions and are motivated by broader geopolitics.
“We are readily available to meet with the mayor to address any concerns, but a decision must be made on facts and our competitors must be treated equally.
“We have begun implementing a comprehensive plan to further secure our European user data, including storing UK user data in our European data centers and tightening data access controls, including independent third-party oversight of our approach.” involves doing.”
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