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The Government's TikTok ban

Our Technology reporter Shiona McCallum explains why governments around the world are banning the use of the video sharing app, TikTok, on work phones.

The UK government has followed the United States and European Union by announcing an immediate ban on the use of the Chinese-owned video sharing app, TikTok, on the work phones of ministers and senior civil servants. Ministers have described this as a "precautionary" but "prudent" move based on advice from the National Cyber Security Centre. The ban won't extend to their personal devices or those owned by members of the public. The app is known for its powerful algorithm which can serve up some of the videos that its users most want to see, while also collecting valuable information about them. TikTok insists it doesn't share that data with the Chinese government, but intelligence laws do require Chinese companies to help the Communist Party when requested.

For the latest episode of 5 Questions On, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Technology reporter Shiona McCallum explains why tensions are rising between governments around the world and the hugely popular video sharing app.

Image Credit: PA

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