Government workers have been warned not to use TikTok on official devices.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued the warning amid fears over the Chinese-owned app’s impact on cybersecurity and data privacy.

It comes after the European Union and the British and American Governments recently banned the app on employees’ devices over user data concerns.

TikTok

In March, the Irish government announced they were seeking advice from NCSC on whether the Chinese-owned application should be allowed on public sector employees’ devices.

Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly said the NCSC’s “key concern” is the app’s ability to collect user data.

“So, when somebody installs an app onto their phone, they give permissions to access certain bits of information,” she said.

“There are concerns relating to what happens with that data once it is collected.”

"Exceptional circumstances"

In a statement, the NCSC said it had warned all Government departments and the State bodies and agencies under their remit that the app should not be installed on official devices, “except in exceptional circumstances where there is a business need”.

It noted that the “policy is consistent with the position taken by the European Commission”.

“This recommendation was informed by a detailed risk assessment carried out by the NCSC, and extensive engagement with relevant stakeholders – including the Data Protection Commission (DPC), the European Commission and other Member States,” it said.

“The recommendation supplements security measures already in place within Government Departments to protect the security of official devices.”

It said the new rules are based on the Cyber Security Baseline Standards Framework which it issued in 2021 to improve the resilience and security of public sector ICT systems.

Additional reporting Michael Staines