The Dutch Interior Ministry has issued a statement prohibiting Dutch civil servants from using TikTok on their work phones, following similar actions taken by other European countries. This move is aimed at preventing the use of the Chinese-owned video app for media purposes, as the Dutch intelligence agency AIVD has identified China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea as having aggressive cyber programs, posing a risk of espionage. The policy does not require government officials to delete the app from their phones. Belgian federal government employees have also been banned from using TikTok on their phones and computers.
TikTok, owned by ByteDance, has faced challenges in Europe, including allegations of sending data on European Union users to China. French President Emmanuel Macron has criticized the app for its potential negative effects on users and its potential use for disinformation. The Dutch policy comes as the country seeks to strengthen ties with the United States amid growing concerns over China. TikTok has expressed its willingness to engage with the Dutch government to clarify misconceptions and ensure data safety and security.
The spokesperson for the general affairs ministry clarified that the Dutch policy is not a complete ban, but rather a pause on its use for government purposes. The move aims to mitigate the risk of espionage and safeguard the privacy of users' data. While it is unclear how strictly government officials have followed the advice, the recommendation has resulted in a clear shift away from the Chinese-owned app, in line with growing security concerns across the West. In November, a junior Dutch government coalition party called for a full ban on the app "in its current form."
TikTok admitted in November that some of its Chinese employees had access to European TikTok user data, raising concerns among users and regulators about the safety of their data. Forbes magazine also reported in December that TikTok employees accessed data to track the whereabouts of journalists covering TikTok, leading to scrutiny of the company in the United States. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew recently met with EU commissioners to address concerns, with Vice President for Values Vra Jourová warning the company to fully execute its commitments to respect EU law and regain the trust of European regulators. TikTok has stated that it is open to engaging with the Dutch government to debunk misconceptions and explain how it keeps both its community and its data safe and secure. However, the Dutch government's move is a clear indication of growing concerns over the safety of data and the risks of espionage from countries with aggressive cyber programs.
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