North Yorkshire Council has banned the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok from staff devices over security fears.
The move means people working for the new council are not be allowed to use the app on any work devices.
Staff have also been “strongly discouraged” from using the app on personal devices that are also used for work purposes.
It follows the lead of parliament, which banned the app last month.
A council spokesperson said the ban came into effect from April 1, which was the council’s first day of existence.
TikTok has over 1.5 billion users around the world and allows people to create and share short-form videos.
However, there have been growing fears over what the company does with the personal data it collects from users.
TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has strongly denied allegations that it shares data with the Chinese government.
Assistant director of technology for North Yorkshire Council, Madeline Hoskin, said:
“North Yorkshire Council does not allow the media sharing app TikTok on any of its corporate devices and it is not approved to be used for any work purpose.
“In addition to this, we would strongly discourage any use of the app or website on personal devices that are also being used for work purposes.
“We have made this decision because both the TikTok app and the website collect a lot of personal and very detailed information that is stored outside of the UK, and though currently this data is predominantly used for targeted advertising, the volume and depth of the data being captured and stored poses a potential risk we do not believe is acceptable.”
‘Fundamental misconceptions’
A TikTok spokesperson said:
“We believe recent bans are based on fundamental misconceptions and driven by wider geopolitics, in which TikTok and our community around the world play no part.
“We remain committed to working with governments and partners to address any security concerns, but ask to be judged on facts, not fears, and treated equally to our competitors.
“We have already begun implementing a comprehensive plan to further protect our US and European user data, building on the principles of local data storage and introducing third-party independent oversight of our approach.”
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Northern bans e-scooters, hoverboards and e-skateboards on all trains
Rail operator Northern is introducing a ban on all e-scooters, hoverboards and e-skateboards across its trains and stations.
The ruling, which comes into effect tomorrow, is due to the potential fire risk posed by the lithium batteries in these devices, which can overheat and catch fire.
It will affect people using the line between Leeds and York that runs through Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Electric wheelchairs and e-bikes are exempt from the ban – as are mobility scooters for those with access needs, as long as they are registered with the train operator’s Mobility Scooter Permit Scheme – which checks devices by a range of criteria to make sure they are safe to use on-board.Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said:
“The safety of our customers and staff is our number one priority.
“As these devices have become more and more popular, so have the horror stories of lithium batteries overheating and catching fire.
“Most of these devices are not actually approved for use in the UK – and from 1 December our staff will refuse travel to anyone attempting to board one of our trains, or access one of our stations with such a device.”
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Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with nearly 2,000 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.
On Sunday, December 11, Northern’s new timetable comes into effect and all customers, especially those who have made regular journeys on the same train times, are advised to check online journey planners before they travel to ensure their service operates at the same time and calls at the same stations.
Members of Harrogate Pubwatch have said an app to keep bars informed on troublemakers is helping to keep the town centre safer.
Harrogate Pubwatch has approximately 40 bars and pubs registered. Together they can ban a person from all venues who’s behaviour is deemed inappropriate or dangerous for a set period.
Last month, the group imposed a lifetime ban on someone found carrying a knife in Mojo. It has recently added three more people to the banned list, two for violence and one for drug use.
The group also uses an app, sponsored by Harrogate BID, which gives details on all those banned but also provides live information on anyone causing trouble to give other bars the opportunity to refuse them entry before getting inside.
Simon Colgan, a member and owner of the Empress on the Stray and Blues Bar, praised the app. He said:
“If a person’s behaviour is deemed unsafe and dangerous we have a vote and decide the length of the ban. Bars working together like this is a real benefit for the town, it means we can keep venues safe for people to enjoy.”
Harrogate Pubwatch operates under the National Pubwatch guidelines and has set ban lengths for different offences. For example, drug dealing would mean someone is banned for 18 months and sexual harassment such as groping is nine months.
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Hannah Ingram, supervisor at Hales Bar, agreed bars working together is hugely positive:
“We work within a really good system, we all support each other. At Hales Bar we, of course, have different customers to Mojo for example but if someone is stopped there it maybe they try come here. The app means we know who to look out for.
“Harrogate is safer for it because there are more eyes about.”
Gabrielle Marcinkeviciute, general manager at North Bar, said:
“In general I don’t want people to think they can act badly and then the next day it all be fine. People know that if they misbehave in a bar that’s part of Pubwatch they won’t be welcome, it makes them more well behaved because they know they could be banned from numerous places.”
Harrogate BID initially sponsored the app for one year but after positive response from businesses and an increase in membership it has extended it for a further 12 months.
Harrogate Pubwatch Secretary Alan Huddart said:
“Pubwatch is making a real difference, and over the last 12 months we have seen our membership grow by 100 per cent. It’s helping alert participating venues in real time about any incidents, and helping identify troublemakers in the process.
“Harrogate is a great town with superb pubs, clubs and bars. It’s a safe town and Pubwatch is helping make it even safer.”