TikTok and Twitter are banned in France from government employees’ phones

Because of concerns over inadequate data security safeguards, France stated Friday that it is prohibiting the “recreational” use of TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and other apps on the phones of government employees.

Due to concerns over TikTok’s ties to China, similar limitations have been placed on the popular video-sharing app in democratic nations. But, the French ruling also applied to other platforms that are often used by politicians, government employees, and President Emmanuel Macron.

The employment of “recreational” applications in government administrative services isn’t safe enough, according to French Minister of Transformation and Public Administration Stanislas Guerini, who also stated that they “may create a risk for the protection of data.”

The cybersecurity office of France will keep an eye on the restriction. The announcement did not list the apps that are prohibited but did highlight that TikTok was the target of other government actions before the decision was made.

The Associated Press received a statement from Guerini’s office stating that the restriction will extend to Twitter, Instagram, Netflix, game apps like Candy Crush, and dating apps.

There will be some leeway. An official might ask for permission to use a prohibited app for work-related tasks like public communication.

As an illustration, Guerini tweeted the ban’s announcement.

TikTok has been prohibited on government phones by the U.S., Britain, the European Union, and other countries. Western countries are concerned that Chinese authorities may demand data on overseas users from TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance Ltd., or may promote propaganda in favor of Beijing.