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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Comment
John Naughton

Yes, it’s crazy to have TikTok on official phones. But it’s not good for any of us

Illustration shows the TikTok symbol with a hand reaching into a mobile user's pocket
‘Why were politicians and senior officials in democracies scrolling like zombies through dance crazes, daft pet videos, feeling “bonita” and things you can do with smudged lipstick?’ Illustration: Dominic McKenzie/The Observer

As of this moment, government officials in 11 countries are forbidden to run TikTok on their government-issued phones. The countries include the US, Canada, Denmark, Belgium, the UK, New Zealand, Norway, France, the Netherlands and Poland. In addition, European Commission and European parliament staff were required to delete the app. This raises two questions.

First, why were politicians and senior officials in democracies scrolling like zombies through dance crazes, daft pet videos, feeling “bonita” and things you can do with smudged lipstick?

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