Officials of the municipality of Eindhoven no longer have access to TikTok at their workplace and work phone. The municipality’s account on the Chinese video app was also removed this week.
Since the end of November it has been impossible for civil servants to install the app on their work phones. It is not explicitly prohibited, but is made technically impossible by default, a spokesperson for the municipality of Eindhoven explains in it ED.
Remove immediately
Employees who already had the app on their mobile phone will soon no longer be able to use it. According to the municipality, it will only take some time to make access to TikTok impossible via all devices. The staff has therefore been asked to remove the app immediately. Access to the TikTok website has also been blocked by the municipality.
TikTok has been under fire worldwide for some time now. The platform is technically capable of recording keystrokes and there are fears that sensitive information is therefore not safe and will end up in the hands of the Chinese government. TikTok would maintain ties with the Chinese government.
Earlier this week, government officials were also asked to remove espionage-sensitive apps from their work phones.