Amazon mistakenly tells workers to take TikTok app off phones
- Internal memo ‘sent in error’ told employees that Chinese video sharing app was no longer allowed on mobile devices that access company email
- Fast growing social media platform has already been banned in India, with US threatening to follow suit
.png?itok=arIb17P0)
Amazon on Friday said it had mistakenly sent workers an email telling them to dump the TikTok mobile application from their mobile phones because of security concerns.
The internal message told workers they could still access the popular video sharing platform using laptop web browsers, but would lose access to company email on smartphones that have TikTok.
“This morning’s email to some of our employees was sent in error,” an Amazon spokesperson said in reply to an inquiry without going into detail. “There is no change to our policies right now with regard to TikTok.”
The concern expressed in the internal message appeared to be that the TikTok mobile app could access Amazon company email, according to a copy posted online.
01:04
Pompeo says US considering ban on TikTok and other Chinese apps, praises Google, Facebook, Twitter
“User security is of the utmost importance to TikTok – we are fully committed to respecting the privacy of our users,” a spokeswoman for the company said.
She added that TikTok welcomed “a dialogue so we can address any issues they may have”.
The app’s feeds of 15- to 60-second video clips are often fun and humorous, featuring everything from make-up tutorials to dance routines.
However, with its rising popularity in the United States, TikTok has also come under increasing scrutiny from the government here.
Top US lawmakers have raised concerns over the potential for TikTok to leak user data to the Chinese government.
India – where TikTok is also wildly popular – recently blocked the platform on national security grounds following a deadly border clash between its soldiers and Chinese forces.
TikTok staunchly denies snooping allegations.
“We have never provided user data to the Chinese government, nor would we do so if asked,” a spokesman said on Wednesday.
