In this way, officials can only use apps that are approved on a specific list. Executive Prime Minister, Mark Ruttedecided to follow the recommendations of the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD).

“We chose structural solutions that civil servants can rely on when working in the digital world. The national government must be able to carry out its duties safelyalso via mobile devices,” said Alexandra va Hufflen, Secretary of State, in a letter to Parliament.

The Netherlands currently has 140,000 civil servantsalthough no statistics reveal how many of them have downloaded TikTok on their mobile devices.

The short video app became a political target over fears that the app, one of the most downloaded in the world, can be used for espionage or propaganda by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The UK and Europe also banned TikTok

Like the Netherlands, the UK also announced a ban on the use of TikTok on government devices due to the app’s possible data theft, in line with steps taken by the European Parliament and the US. “We will do this immediately,” said Cabinet Minister Oliver Dowden.

Two weeks ago, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsolaand general secretary Alessandro Chiocchettithey decided it TikTok should not be used or remain installed on personal devices like phone, tablet or computer laptops starting March 20.

“From that date, web access to TikTok through us corporate network […] will also be blocked,” the announcement read Directorate General of Innovation and Technology Support DPR in a note sent to some 8,000 employees of the institution. Previously, the same decision had been taken by the European Union.