ETB members banned from downloading Tik Tok

Cavan-Monaghan ETB board members have been warned not to install the social media and video sharing app Tik Tok on official devices.

The diktat, delivered at the May monthly meeting, follows formal advice from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Digital Governance Oversight Unit within the Department of Education on digital privacy and security.

The NCSC is the State agency responsible for advising the government on cyber security threats, and last month Irish Government ministers were formally briefed not to install the popular social media platform owned by Chinese company ByteDance.

Along with the European Commission, several countries have in recent months banned public sector employees from installing the video-sharing app.

In the US, the Federal Communications Commission claims ByteDance could potentially share TikTok user data - including browsing history and location with the Chinese government.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed the Irish government has sought its own advice from the NCSC after the UK government announced it too has imposed a ban on the app being downloaded on official devices.

Chief Executive of CMETB, Fiona McGrath, told board members as they met at Blacklion’s Loughan House that if the app is on their device “for it to be removed”.

A spokesperson for CMETB confirmed to The Anglo-Celt that the decision to brief board members followed the advice of the NCSC and Digital Governance Oversight Unit within the Department of Education.

“The advice detailed that TikTok should not be installed or used on the official devices of Government Departments or agencies under their aegis. TikTok should also be removed from any official devices where they are already installed.”