The BBC has followed the government in banning the installation of TikTok on corporate devices.
The move comes amid fears that internet firm ByteDance, owner of the short-form video social media platform, is passing sensitive user data to the Chinese government – a claim it denies.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 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,鈥� the BBC told staff.
However for now the Corporation continues to promote content on the network via official accounts for the BBC in general plus News, Sport and Radio 1.
鈥淭he BBC takes the safety and security of our systems, data and people incredibly seriously,鈥� said a spokesperson.
鈥淲e constantly review activity on third party platforms 鈥� including TikTok 鈥� and will continue to do so.鈥�
BBC technology editor Zoe Kleinman tweeted: 鈥淵es, this does affect me. But bigger picture: TikTok denies any data sharing with China. Nobody has found a smoking gun. And yet the fears grow louder.鈥�
TikTok responded: 鈥淲e are disappointed with the guidance that the BBC has shared but welcome the fact TikTok can still be used as part of editorial, marketing and reporting purposes.
鈥淭he BBC has a strong presence on our platform, with multiple accounts from news through to music reaching our engaged community both in the UK and around the world.聽
鈥淲e believe these bans have been based on fundamental misconceptions and driven by wider geopolitics. We remain in close dialogue with the BBC and are committed to working with them to address any concerns they have.鈥�