Messaging applications are commonly used in this day and age. The US Army is no longer allowed to make use of TikTok on government-owned devices.
There are some serious concerns regarding TikTok and the data it collects.
TikTok is a no-go for the US Army
Chinese social media applications do not have the best reputation.
This is even more problematic when such applications gain major traction.
In the case of TikTok, it is becoming increasingly popular among US Army soldiers.
Most of them utilize TikTok on their government-owned device.
That creates a very genuine concern for the US government.
The application is now seen as a “cyber threat” by US Army officials.
This news comes after earlier reports of how TikTok collects personal data.
It is evident that such an application on government-owned devices creates a troublesome situation.
In late 2019, the US Navy took a similar stance toward this application.
Its members can no longer use TikTok on government-owned devices either.
Interestingly enough, the parent company of this popular application confirms it is collecting user data.
That information is, according to a spokesperson, stored in Virginia, with a backup in Singapore.
For the US Army, this decision creates a secondary problem.
The agency used TikTok as a recruitment tool for younger generations.
It seems that option will no longer be pursued either until the situation is cleared up.
Image(s): Shutterstock.com