Concerns in the House of Representatives about TikTok: ”potentially high security risk”

A majority of the House of Representatives wants to ban TikTok for the work phones of government officials. Some parties go one step further and advocate a total ban on the app.

”Potentially high security risk”

There are concerns in the House of Representatives about the social media app TikTok, NOS reports. The app – which is being developed by the Chinese technology company ByteDance – could access personal data of European users. Many MPs are now calling for a ban on TikTok. Some parties advocate a ban on TikTok for civil servants, other parties want a total ban.

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This first group includes D66, VVD and the CDA. The Christian Union falls under the latter group and therefore wants a total ban. MP Nico Drost (CU) reports the following to NOS: ”Let’s get going right away. If it (TikTok) isn’t good enough for civil servants, why should it be good enough for our children?”

Why?

The great fear of TikTok is caused by two things: the Chinese government and the addictive effect that the app has. Let’s start with this first one. As mentioned above, TikTok is developed by ByteDance. This is a Chinese technology company and they also develop some other apps that have to comply with Chinese censorship laws. In doing so, they design, create and develop TikTok and its algorithms. It is known about the latter that the Chinese government would like to have input into this. In addition, about 300 TikTok employees are or were also active for the Chinese state media. This, among other things, is now causing concern to the House of Representatives.

In addition, TikTok is very addictive. The app is so good and simple that people keep using it. This actually works from the moment you open the app. A video will immediately start playing. By means of a simple scroll down the next video starts. The algorithms of the app are very strong and know exactly what you like and what you want to watch. TikTok currently has about one and a half billion users worldwide, three million of whom come from the Netherlands.

Is TikTok really going to be banned?

Alexandra van Huffelen, State Secretary for Digitization, says she understands the concerns of the House of Representatives. However, she does not want to ban the app immediately and first study the app and issue herself.

Do you use TikTok? What do you think of the concerns of the House of Representatives? Let us know in comments below this article.