The Belgian government announced on Friday that it is banning the social media app TikTok from government devices for six months, after which the measure can be extended. The decision follows recommendations by the National Security Council, which also advised government workers not to install the app on their personal devices either.
The Center for Cybersecurity Belgium warned that TikTok collects data from users without their knowledge, manipulates information through its algorithm, and is obliged by law to cooperate with the Chinese government. The Flemish region has already blocked the app on official devices, with Walloonia expected to do the same soon, according to Le Soir.