Your current location:HOME >health >Grant Shapps swerves questions on whether Britain could follow the US by banning Chinese 正文
TIME:2024-05-04 14:22:40 Source: Internet compilationEdit:health
Grant Shapps today swerved questions as to whether Britain could follow the US and ban TikTok amid s
Grant Shapps today swerved questions as to whether Britain could follow the US and ban TikTok amid security fears over the Chinese-owned social media app.
The Defence Secretary said a vote in Washington DC last night was 'interesting' after the US Senate approved hardline legislation.
It means TikTok will be banned in America unless its Chinese owner, ByteDance, sells its stake in the app over the next nine to 12 months.
The bill was passed by Congress as US legislators expressed fears the Chinese government could access the data of TikTok's 170million American users or spy on phones through the software.
It is set to be signed into law by US President Joe Biden today.
Grant Shapps swerved questions as to whether Britain could follow the US and ban TikTok amid security fears over the Chinese-owned social media app
Under new laws passed by Congress, TikTok will be banned in America unless its Chinese owner, ByteDance, sells its stake in the app over the next nine to 12 months
A hardline bill was passed by Congress as US legislators expressed fears the Chinese government could access the data of TikTok's 170million American users
Asked this morning whether Britain should consider passing similar laws, Mr Shapps told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'We've always been very cognisant of the Chinese element of this.
'Because of laws in China, which mean Chinese-owned companies can effectively have that data looked at by the Chinese government.
'It's one of the reasons why I'm extremely cautious about and don't have TikTok installed on any of my devices.'
Mr Shapps said he still has a TikTok account, with more than 20,000 followers, but stressed the app is not installed on his personal devices.
'I do still have a TikTok account, I just don't have it on my devices, I don't post to it personally for exactly those reasons,' he added.
The Defence Secretary suggested it would not be necessary for Britain to take similar action over TikTok should the new US legislation be successful in removing the app's Chinese owners.
'In terms of security, the American decision is that it would be banned in the US unless the ownership is transferred,' he said.
'And if that happens, of course, that would remove those problems.'
Mr Shapps added: 'It will actually be resolved by what the US is doing and we've always been very clear to say to people - not just with TikTok actually but with almost any app you have on your phone, TikTok is not unique about the permissions that it asks for... be careful with your data.
'That's a sensible message to everybody regardless of what they have on their phones.'
Asked how he accessed his TikTok account, if the app is not installed on his personal devices, Mr Shapps replied: 'I just don't.'
Pressed on why he had the app, if he didn't access it himself, the Defence Secretary added: 'It's one of the most popular social media accounts and a lot of people, particularly younger people, use TikTok.
'So it's a question of whether - as somebody who seeks to represent and does represent my constituents - I want to be able to communicate with them where they are.
'But, of course, I do think it's very, very important that security - as you would imagine from the Defence Secretary - is at the heart of everything that we do.
'So I don't have it on my own devices but I think it is pretty important that we make sure this is resolved and so I thought the Congressional vote was interesting.'
Justice Department warns it plans to sue Iowa over new state immigration law2024-05-04 14:05
REVEALED: Larry Ellison son's David, 41, and his bid to buy media giant Paramount2024-05-04 13:43
Elon Musk accuses Australia of censorship over Sydney church stabbing video2024-05-04 13:37
Shipwreck archaeology unveils glory of Maritime Silk Road2024-05-04 13:34
Anchovies draw crush of sea lions to San Francisco piers, the most in 15 years2024-05-04 13:27
California announces first new state park in a decade2024-05-04 13:27
Kennedy family endorses Biden in effort to deflate RFK Jr.'s candidacy2024-05-04 13:06
Fears Rwanda flights will fail if migrants disappear en masse to avoid being deported from the UK2024-05-04 12:53
Hakeem Jeffries isn't speaker, but might be the most powerful person in Congress2024-05-04 11:49
Foreign businessmen seek new opportunities at Canton Fair2024-05-04 11:37
Luke Rowe, who helped 3 leaders win the Tour de France, will retire at the end of the season2024-05-04 13:57
Cruz breaks slump with 3 hits, Jones cruises as Pirates beat Brewers 42024-05-04 13:51
China's new quality agricultural productive forces to be fully developed: report2024-05-04 13:36
Denver Broncos introduce new uniforms for first time since 19972024-05-04 13:26
French cyberwarriors ready to test their defense against hackers and malware during the Olympics2024-05-04 13:12
You can't park there! Council builds new £51million 8502024-05-04 12:56
Israel's Netanyahu says to increase pressure on Hamas2024-05-04 12:52
Israel's Netanyahu says to increase pressure on Hamas2024-05-04 12:36
A suspected Islamic State group attack on pro2024-05-04 12:08
Vista Outdoor, Salesforce rise; Tesla, Cardinal Health fall, Monday, 4/22/20242024-05-04 11:38