At least nine MPs still using TikTok despite growing security warnings

04 March 2023 , 20:12

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Matt Hancock is among the MPs who still use TikTok

At least nine MPs are still active on TikTok – despite growing global security fears over the Chinese-owned social media platform.

Those posting videos include Cabinet minister Grant Shapps, former Health Secretary Matt Hancock and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Last week, the European Parliament barred the app over spy concerns. And Canada, the US Congress and around half of American states have axed it from government phones.

Parliament’s official account was shut down last year. Downing Street has not banned the app but the official No10 account has been dormant since Boris Johnson left office last July.

And Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has warned: “TikTok is overall owned by a Chinese company. I think if you put your data on there, you’re not just sharing it with the person you’re publishing it [with].”

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But Tory MP Luke Evans recently used TikTok to film himself walking through a secure area on his way into 10 Downing Street.

And fellow Tory Ben Bradley dismissed security fears over his use of the app as he doesn’t have anything “top secret”.

Mr Hancock, who got half a million views for a clip of himself tossing a pancake, said: “I do sort of comedy – well, I think it’s funny – and then serious stuff as well.” And Energy Secretary Grant Shapps has boasted TikTok is like “social media on crack”.

Other MPs with accounts include Tory Dehenna Davison and Labour’s Zarah Sultana and Nadia Wittome.

TikTok said: “We comply with robust data laws in the UK.”

Mikey Smith