TikTok ban for Manx government devices

But 'exemption' applies says minister

TikTok is banned on Isle of Man Government-issued devices but there are some exceptions.

It's something which has been confirmed, in an answer to a Tynwald question, by Cabinet Office Minister Kate Lord-Brennan.

The question itself, asking whether government has considered a ban due to 'possible security and data issues', came from Douglas North MHK John Wannenburgh.

He'd also asked the enterprise minister whether or not Visit Isle of Man would be using the App.

It comes a month after the US and UK governments banned the social media platform from their devices over fears about whether the site, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, may endanger sensitive user data.

In response to Mr Wannenburgh's question Minister Lord-Brennan said: "A risk-based approach is adopted for the use of ByteDance applications, which include TikTok, on government-issued devices.

"This has determined that they are prohibited but their use may be allowed by exemption."

The official TT TikTok page has almost 52,000 followers - something that's indicative of the hundreds of millions of users worldwide.

On whether Visit Isle of Man will be considering a TikTok strategy - and what consideration has been given to possible security and data issues - Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston said the agency "does not utilise TikTok in their social media strategy but do have a registered account for potential future use."

He added: "Social media continues to be a primary source of inspiration for travellers and major UK based Destination Management Organisations and Tourism Boards / Agencies, such as Visit Britain, Visit Scotland, Visit Wales, Tourism Ireland and Visit Liverpool are currently actively utilising the platform for destination (tourism) marketing.

"Visit Isle of Man will be considering the expansion of their social media marketing strategy, which will potentially include the use of TikTok, in Q2 2023.

"In bringing forward any future proposals Visit Isle of Man will adhere to any government guidance or policies in place to ensure data and cyber security."