UK bans TikTok on government devices over security concerns
London, Mar 15: TikTok will be banned from UK government phones amid security concerns around the Chinese-owned social media video app, Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden announced in Parliament on Thursday.
The ban brings the UK in line with the US, Canada and the European Union (EU) and also India which banned TikTok entirely from the country, even as the company strongly denies sharing user data with the Chinese government.
Dowden told MPs that there "could be" a risk to how government data and information is used by the app.
"The security of sensitive government information must come first, so today we are banning this app on government devices," said Dowden.
"The use of other data-extracting apps will be kept under review. Restricting the use of TikTok on government devices is a prudent and proportionate step following advice from our cyber security experts," he said.
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BJP MLA Munirathna asks Speaker to ensure he gets protection
Bengaluru: BJP legislator Munirathna has requested Speaker UT Khader to ensure protection for him and cited instances when people threw eggs at him when he was on the streets, tore his shirt and also applied ash on his face.
Speaking during the debate in the Assembly on Thursday on the Governor's speech, Munirathna pointed out that Ballari witnessed violence following disagreement regarding putting up a banner and a flex and also urged the Speaker to ban the use of flexes.
“There are 138 bars in Rajarajeshwarinagar, the constituency I represent. FIRs are being filed against women who have been asking for the closure of these bars. Officers refuse to give people information on legal guidelines regarding bars and restaurants. I have filed about 1,380 RTI applications, but the officers have rejected the pleas,” the BJP leader told the Speaker.
Munirathna also complained that he had asked for protection as he feared that he could be attacked in his constituency, but was denied a gunman. “I had to appeal to the Supreme Court, which responded positively and directed that I be provided a gunman. I also had to request the Chief Minister directly, after which, a gunman was appointed for my protection,” he said.
The MLA accused Deputy CM DK Shivakumar of claiming that Muniratna's rival, who lost the polls from Rajarajeshwarinagar, was the local MLA and interfering in matters related to the constituency. “It is unbecoming of him to harass an elected representative and interfere in his works in a sadistic manner. Police officers are assigned to my constituency only if a complaint or a rape case is filed against the MLA,” he added.
