Last week, we reported that the United Kingdom (UK) has banned the video-hosting app TikTok from all government phones following concerns about data security and data privacy, as well as rumors of ties with the Chinese government.
Now, France has also announced that the French government will likewise ban TikTok from all french government phones amid the same security risks.
In a report from Le Monde, it was stated that the app presents “risks in terms of cybersecurity and data protection of public officials and the administration.”
All government phones used by French public officials, government staff members, and government agents will now be prohibited from having the app.
Aside from TikTok, the popular color-matching game Candy Crush, American video-streaming app Netflix, and social media platform Twitter are all likewise being banned, also for cybersecurity concerns.
The ban was put into force by a “binding” instruction from the government and comes into force immediately. This does not, however, apply to the personal smartphones and devices of French state officials and agents.
Other countries like the United States, the UK, Belgium, Canada, and the European Commission have all banned the app from any of its official devices.
