UK Minister Raises Concerns Over TikTok's Data Use

UK Technology Minister Peter Kyle expressed significant concerns regarding TikTok's data handling practices amid fears that the Chinese government could exploit user data. While the UK government has not pursued a ban like the US, Kyle emphasized the importance of ensuring national security and the necessity of understanding TikTok's ownership model. He described TikTok as a 'desirable product' that allows young people to explore diverse cultures, thus acknowledging its positive aspects alongside the risks. Recent studies indicated that heavy TikTok users in the US showed increased pro-China sentiments, raising alarms about the platform's influence and content moderation tactics. TikTok maintains that it operates under UK regulations and has invested heavily in data protection initiatives. Kyle called for a cautious approach to using TikTok while recognizing the broader context of media bias across platforms.