The BBC is investigating whether TikTok should be banned and has ordered staff to remove the Chinese social media app from work phones unless they use it for editorial or marketing purposes.
The British broadcaster issued new guidelines for staff on Sunday after the British government banned the use of TikTok on the phones of ministers and civil servants.
The BBC’s guidance marks a major shift in tone for the channel after strongly embracing TikTok over the past year and even hiring specialists for its social media team.
In guidance issued today, obtained by Deadline, the BBC said: “We do not recommend installing TikTok on a BBC device unless there is a legitimate business reason.”
BBC staff were instructed following “concerns from government agencies around the world about privacy and security”.
In a Q&A about the guidelines, the BBC wondered: “Will the BBC ban the use of TikTok on business devices or on my personal device that I use for BBC work purposes?”
The response: “We are currently reviewing concerns about TikTok and will provide further updates based on government and guidance from the National Cyber Security Center.”
Senior BBC journalists have been warning for months about the company’s “obsession” with TikTok, with some concerned that the company has admitted to following reporters working for Forbes, BuzzFeed and the Financial Times.
A BBC insider told Deadline that this was “not exactly the time to indiscriminately throw resources at a platform”. A TikTok source said at the time that she was happy to discuss security issues with BBC journalists and “address any concerns they may have”.
The updated BBC guidelines follow Danish public broadcaster DR, which last week advised staff to stop using the app. A TikTok insider called the ban “irrelevant” and pointed to the plan to create a “secure enclave for European TikTok user data” to address security concerns.
TikTok has been contacted for comment.
Source: Deadline
Joseph Fearn is an entertainment and television aficionado who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for what’s hot in the world of TV, Joseph keeps his readers informed about the latest trends and must-see shows.
