BBC Considers TikTok Ban As Staff Told To Delete App Unless They Are Using It For Work Purposes

The BBC is reviewing whether to ban TikTok and has told staff to delete the Chinese social media app from work phones unless they are using it for editorial or marketing reasons.

The broadcaster issued fresh guidance for employees on Sunday after the UK government prohibited the use of TikTok on the phones of ministers and civil servants.

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The BBC’s guidance marks a significant change of tone from the broadcaster after it has vigorously embraced TikTok over the past year, even hiring specialists for its social media team.

TikTok said it was “disappointed” by the BBC’s edict, adding that bans are “based on fundamental misconceptions” about the app’s security risk.

In the guidance sent today, obtained by Deadline, the BBC said: “We don’t recommend installing TikTok on a BBC corporate device unless there is a justified business reason.”

BBC employees were issued with the instruction after “concerns raised by government authorities worldwide regarding data privacy and security.”

In a Q&A on the guidance, the BBC asked itself: “Will the BBC ban the use of TikTok on corporate devices, or my personal device that I use for BBC work purposes?”