William Eichler 13 April 2023

New North Yorkshire Council bans TikTok

New North Yorkshire Council bans TikTok  image
Image: salarko / Shutterstock.com.

North Yorkshire Council has banned the use of TikTok on council devices due to digital security concerns.

The new council’s decision follows last month’s announcement by the Cabinet Office that the use of the social media app on Government devices is banned in order to protect ‘sensitive government information’.

The ban, which comes amid concerns that the Chinese-owned company may be required to help China’s Communist Party due to Beijing’s intelligence legislation, does not extend to local authorities.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson told The MJ it was ‘completely up to local authorities’ to decide their approach towards the digital channel. The Local Government Association (LGA) also said the decision on whether to remove the app was ‘a matter for individual councils to decide’.

North Yorkshire Council has decided to follow the Government’s lead in banning TikTok on work devices, according to a story first broken by local democracy reporter Thomas Barrett.

A spokesperson for the council also said they would ‘strongly discourage’ the use of the application on personal devices that are used for work.

Assistant director technology for North Yorkshire Council, Madeline Hoskin, said: ‘We have made this decision because both the TikTok app and the website collect a lot of personal and very detailed information that is stored outside of the UK, and though currently this data is predominantly used for targeted advertising, the volume and depth of the data being captured and stored poses a potential risk we do not believe is acceptable.’

A TikTok spokesperson told The MJ that the bans are ‘based on fundamental misconceptions and driven by wider geopolitics.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Coroners Coordinator

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £25731.00 per annum + full time equivalent
Coroners CoordinatorFixed Term, Part Time£25,081 to £25,731 per annum (full-time equivalent)Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Child and Family Support worker

Essex County Council
£25395.00 - £32131.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Child and Family Support workerPermanent, Full Time£25,395 to £32,131 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Strategic Director – Place-Based Services

Stevenage Borough Council
£Competitive
Stevenage is a town with bold ambitions. Stevenage, Hertfordshire / Hybrid
Recuriter: Stevenage Borough Council

Social Worker - Children's Assessment and Safeguarding

North East Lincolnshire Council
ASYE level £36,363 up to £46,142
Make the change, be the difference to our children, our future. North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council

Assist Response Officer

Mansfield District Council
£16,055.87 - £17,113.37 per annum (for 22.5 hours per week)
Mansfield District Council are looking for a dedicated individual to join our award winning ASSIST support scheme. Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Mansfield District Council
Linkedin Banner