Tiktok: banned on more and more official devices

The Chinese video and social media app Tiktok has come under attack in the West. Citing security concerns and questionable data protection, the EU Commission and the governments of the US and Canada have ordered their employees to delete it from their official mobile phones. Other countries are now following suit. Europe's press points to additional problems with the app.

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Aftonbladet (SE) /

A direct line to young people

Aftonbladet is clear about the danger posed by Tiktok but stresses that the platform has an important function:

“For democratically elected leaders, reaching the app's users is not only attractive, but also important. Party politics is not exactly known for attracting young people. And now politicians are being denied the opportunity to be where the young people are. Security must be taken seriously. MPs must not share potentially sensitive information, especially not with Chinese authorities. But the fundamental problem remains. How can we include young people in the democratic discussion about the future?”

Kristeligt Dagblad (DK) /

Apps should meet minimum requirements

Not only the EU Commission but also the Danish Cyber Security Council and the parliament warn against Tiktok or have banned it altogether for employees. Kristeligt Dagbladet also calls for preventive measures:

“But it's too much to expect that as a private person you are supposed to be able to see through the cryptically formulated and labyrinthine handling of data by the tech giants. One would think that it is a central task of the EU, for example, to formulate minimum requirements for every app that wants to attract users in EU member states. Anyone who wants to sell a washing machine or produce cheese in the EU must abide by certain rules. And that should also apply to the apps that are increasingly taking over our everyday lives.”

Libération (FR) /

Growing mistrust of China

This is another stage in an escalating conflict, Libération warns:

“What makes the Tiktok affair so worrying is that it highlights how the cooling of relations between China and Western countries, already perceptible for some time, is now turning into major tensions and even a cold war. Within a few weeks we have seen the affair of Chinese balloons over the US, which led to the cancellation of a visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Beijing, which in turn offended the Chinese government. On top of this there are the rumours of a rapprochement between Russia and China, which could go as far as deliveries of Chinese weapons to Moscow. ... And now Tiktok is being denounced, just like Huawei was.”

Rzeczpospolita (PL) /

Don't promote this online drug!

A growing number of Polish politicians are posting comments on Tiktok during the current election campaign. Rzeczpospolita voices concern:

“Experts are sounding the alarm about the risks associated with video apps, and of Tiktok in particular. Internet researchers have long warned that the use of social media can be addictive due to dopamine released in the brain. The effect of the Chinese app is sometimes even compared to hard drugs, without too much exaggeration. Prolonged use of this app makes id difficult to concentrate and learn, and leads to nervous tension. By actively promoting themselves on Tiktok, are politicians not adding to the power of such platforms and their negative consequences?”