• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
UK’s spy chief issues urgent warning to ‘think before you use TikTok’

Home> News

Published 15:04 11 Oct 2022 GMT+1

UK’s spy chief issues urgent warning to ‘think before you use TikTok’

The GCHQ boss has his problems with the video app.

Ali Condon

Ali Condon

The chief of the GCHQ has warned people to 'think before they TikTok', and really consider what information they share on the app.

Sir Jeremy Fleming, who had a long career in MI5 before becoming the director of GCHQ, urged parents, in particular, to be mindful about how their children are using TikTok and sharing their personal data.

He suggested that the Chinese Communist Party is using TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, for surveillance opportunities.

Fleming also made a point to remind those using the app that 'there is no free good here', and that people are really being entertained for hours on end in exchange for their data.

Advert

Cyberstock / Alamy Stock Photo

That doesn't mean that we should all stop using TikTok, Sir Jeremy told BBC Radio 4's Today. We just need to be wary about where our personal data is being shared.

"No, I wouldn't (stop children from using TikTok), but I would speak to my child about the way in which they think about their personal data on their device," he said.

"I think it's really important from a very early age that we understand that there is no free good here. When we are using these services we are exchanging our data for that and if it's proportionate and we're happy with the way that data is safeguarded then that's great.

"Make the most of that, make those videos, use TikTok - but just think before you do."

Advert

This isn't the first time that concerns have been raised over TikTok's data use.

BBC Radio 4

Just last month, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) concluded that TikTok could have processed the personal data of children under the age of 13 without parental consent from May 2018 to July 2020.

It also found that owners ByteDance might have illegally processed special category data, and failed to offer users clear, concise information about how their data would be used.

Now, the video sharing app is facing a fine of up to £27 million - the largest fine in the ICO's history.

Advert

Information commissioner, John Edwards, said at the time: "We all want children to be able to learn and experience the digital world, but with proper data privacy protections.

"Companies providing digital services have a legal duty to put those protections in place but our provisional view is that TikTok fell short of meeting that requirement."

The ICO has yet to reach a conclusion on whether TikTok has breached data protection law.

Featured Image Credit: PA/Alamy Stock Photo/Pixabay

Topics: News, UK News, TikTok, Technology

Ali Condon
Ali Condon

Ali is a journalist for LADbible Group, writing on all things film, music, and entertainment across Tyla, LADbible and UNILAD. You can contact Ali at [email protected].

X

@alicondon

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Man horrified to discover his new home is actually someone else's Airbnb

    Ben Echianu, from Manchester, branded the woman whom he believes posed as a landlord as 'heartless'

    News
  • 2 hours ago

    Christian Horner releases statement after being sacked by Red Bull after 20 years

    Horner shared a lengthy statement on social media

    News
  • 2 hours ago

    Donald Trump shuts down reporter who asked Jeffrey Epstein question following release of CCTV footage

    It seems the US President deems the topic to be no longer up for discussion

    News
  • 2 hours ago

    Cardiologist who had heart attack warns people to not 'make same mistake' over little-known warning sign

    The irony isn't lost on Dr William Wilson

    News
  • Which? issues urgent security warning to families over popular air fryers
  • Apple issues urgent warning to all 1.8 billion iPhone users
  • Expert issues stark warning over easily missed sign you could have developed life-threatening disease
  • Martin Lewis issues important warning to Brits abroad to avoid sneaky £6 charge