BBC tells staff to remove TikTok from corporate mobile phones

The BBC has urged its employees to delete the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok from their work-related mobile devices.

“We don’t recommend installing TikTok on a BBC corporate device unless there is a justified business reason,” a guidance issued by the company said.

“If you do not need TikTok for business reasons, TikTok should be deleted.”

The guidance said that the decision was made due to concerns raised by government authorities worldwide regarding data privacy and security.

The move follows the British government’s decision last week to ban the use of TikTok on all government-issued phones. The app was banned amid fears that the Chinese government could access sensitive data held on official phones.

According to the BBC guidance, employees will still be allowed to use the app on their work phones for editorial and marketing purposes, although company says it will provide additional instructions if the situation demands.

A BBC spokesperson told the Guardian: “The BBC takes the safety and security of our systems, data and people incredibly seriously. We constantly review activity on third-party platforms – including TikTok – and will continue to do so.”

TikTok expressed disappointment over the BBC’s decision, although it welcomed the fact that “TikTok can still be used as part of editorial, marketing and reporting purposes.”