While all Belgian governments have already banned the Chinese social media app TikTok on staff computers and mobile phones, the Brussels Parliament is now also blocking access to the app on all data networks managed by Parliament's services – including the Wi-Fi network accessible to visitors.
The ban will last for six months and will be reviewed at the beginning of the next parliamentary year. MPs, group employees and Brussels Parliament staff using TikTok are also urged to remove it from private devices they use to share data with Parliament.
"Like all authorities, the Brussels Parliament must oversee the protection of our data and assume its responsibility," said Brussels Parliament President Rachid Madrane.
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Owned by Chinese company ByteDance, TikTok has come under fire since the technology company admitted that certain employees had access to the data of US and European users.
Governments and parliaments around the world are banning TikTok from staff work phones and other business devices for fear of data theft and spying. Following bans from several European institutions, the Flemish, Brussels and Federal governments also blocked its use on work devices.