TikTok faces bans in multiple countries over security concerns

a { color: #880000 !important; background: #ffeeee !important; } TikTok faces bans in multiple countries over security concernsTechnology > TikTokSeveral countries have banned or are considering banning TikTok over concerns about its proximity to the Chinese government and the potential for user data to be accessed by the Chinese government.

What's happened

The Biden administration has demanded that TikTok's Chinese owners divest their stakes in the popular video app or face a possible US ban.

Why it matters

TikTok is owned by China-based ByteDance, the world's most valuable start-up. The app has over a billion users worldwide and is under intense scrutiny for its links to China. The US, UK, Canada, Belgium, and the European Commission have already banned the app over security concerns.

What the papers say

The sources agree that TikTok is facing bans in multiple countries over security concerns. They differ in the details of which countries have already banned the app and which are considering doing so.

How we got here

TikTok has been under scrutiny for its links to China and concerns that user data could be accessed by the Chinese government. The US attempted to ban the app in 2020, and the Biden administration has now demanded that TikTok's Chinese owners divest their stakes in the app or face a possible US ban. Other countries, including the UK, Canada, Belgium, and the European Commission, have already banned the app over security concerns.