Social media app TikTok has effectively been banned on official Government and public sector devices due to security concerns.
As previously reported by The Irish Mirror, assessments were being carried out regarding the safety of the app after it was removed from official devices in other jurisdictions.
A Government spokesperson confirmed that the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) had conducted a "technical assessment".
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"Its advice is that TikTok should not be installed or used on official public sector devices, save in exceptional cases where there is a business need," they said.
"This is consistent with the position taken by the European Commission."
The US, UK and Dutch governments have all issued similar advice regarding the use of the app on official devices.
It follows significant data protection concerns about the app. There have also been concerns about the relationship between TikTok and the Chinese state.
The Irish Mirror understands that in instances where the app has already been installed on official devices, it must be removed.
Speaking in Cork, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed the news but said that the decision can be reversed.
"The National Cyber Security Centre, they're the experts," he said.
"We asked them to consider this matter based on evidence and they've now recommended that TikTok shouldn't be used on public sector devices unless there's a particular business case for doing so.
"That is the advice now that we're issuing today to the wider public sector.
"That is based on expert advice from our cybersecurity experts.
"There are some concerns about the data and how it is used and how it may be transmitted. It is something that can be reversed.
"TikTok is a big investor in Ireland. It employs a lot of people. I think it's important to recognise that.
"But we have to take the advice of the cybersecurity experts on this."
Minister of State Ossian Smyth, who has responsibility for the NCSC, told the Irish Mirror that the concerns about TikTok outweighed any “business case” for keeping the app on State devices.
He explained that anyone who does need to use the app for work will be encouraged to buy another phone that does not connect to the official Government network.
Minister Smyth said: “The business need for it is pretty low. The primary purpose of TikTok is entertainment and recreation. Most people in the public sector don't require TikTok on their phones.
“A small number do and [the NCSC] did give some recommendations for what to do if you are in that group.
“For example, if you're in the press office and you want to communicate to the public with TikTok. We've recommended, for example, that you just go out and buy a different phone, don't connect it to the Government networks and use that to make your TikToks.
“We've produced detailed guidance about how you could use it. For a start, you’ve got to have a need for it. It's going to have to be exceptional.”
Minister Smyth said that the Data Protection Commissioner previously launched two investigations into TikTok, concerning children’s personal data and transfers of data to China.
A number of senior Government ministers and politicians have TikTok accounts. Justice Minister Simon Harris has 91,500 followers. Tánaiste Micheál Martin, meanwhile, has 9,500 fans.
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