The European Commission has banned the use of TikTok on its official phones and devices

The European Commission has banned its employees from installing the Chinese app ICT Tac on their cell phones. This decision was taken to ensure cyber security, a topic of great importance to the Commission. Similar to the United States Congress, the EU Commission is taking steps to protect its employees and institution from potential security threats.

Preserving the Institution

Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, stated that since the beginning of their mandate, the EU Commission has been strongly interested in cyber security. The decision to ban ICT Tac was made to preserve the institution. However, no further details were provided.

Company Responds

The Chinese company expressed disappointment in the decision, stating that they considered it to be wrong and based on misunderstandings. The company’s spokesperson did not elaborate further.

Brussels’ Focus on Big Tech

Brussels has been focusing on ICT Tac and other big tech companies. In January, the CEO of the Chinese company, Shou Zi Chew, met with EU officials. He was threatened with a ban on the use of ICT Tac in the European Union if the company did not prevent minors from accessing life-threatening videos and did not prevent the transfer of user data to third countries.

Following in the Footsteps of the United States

The EU Commission’s decision to ban ICT Tac follows in the footsteps of the United States Congress. Lawmakers and their employees have been banned from installing the app on their official phones. This measure has also been adopted by several states, including Texas, Alabama, and Tennessee, as well as institutions such as the University of Florida.

Controversy in the United States

The controversy over the use of Chinese applications in the United States has worsened. Recent revelations that ByteDance, the company that owns TikTok, used the social network to spy on journalists have added fuel to the fire. This has prompted governments and institutions to take proactive measures to ensure their cyber security.