Statements from UK officials or legislative changes

UK Rules Out TikTok Ban, Cites No Threat from Cat Videos

Jan 19, 2025, 12:48 PM

The UK government has confirmed that it has no plans to ban TikTok, diverging from the recent US decision to block the app over national security concerns. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones stated that TikTok is already banned on UK government devices due to sensitive information but emphasized that for general consumers, the app does not currently pose a security threat, saying, "For consumers who want to post videos of their cats or dancing, that doesn’t seem like a national security threat to me." He clarified that the UK would not follow the US unless a credible threat emerges in the future. The US Supreme Court recently upheld a law banning TikTok, citing its ties to China-based parent company ByteDance, with a January 19 deadline for compliance. The UK government continues to engage with social media companies to ensure data security and compliance with high standards. Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel also indicated no immediate plans to push for a ban, though she emphasized monitoring international developments.