UK: According to internal documents, the UK Parliament was aware that TikTok's use could be "controversial" given the app's relationship with China and had devised a strategy to counter any backlash.

Following a letter from a group of lawmakers that said TikTok "has failed to assure lawmakers that the company can stop data transfer to ByteDance, should the parent company request it," the legislative body said in the video. Abandoned a pilot project using the app. only a few days.

According to an internal document obtained by an insider under Britain's Freedom of Information Act, Parliament was aware that TikTok's connections with China could provoke a negative reaction.

In the document, it was specifically advised to inquire with the PSD about the app's suitability for the phones of parliamentary staff. "Once confirmed, it must be part of any media line," the document states.

However, Parliament declined to answer when an insider questioned whether the PSD had determined that it was secure, saying: "We cannot go into further details about the security measures taken. "

Other possible talking points that the spokesperson could provide to reporters are suggested in the "OASIS Communications and Evaluation Plan" document that the insider obtained.

We use social media to reach audiences where they are, a different demographic uses TikTok than our followers on other platforms, and we are doing a small-scale pilot project with a specific project plan and evaluation. Using Tiktok as part of

TikTok's parent company ByteDance is mentioned in the document as having connections to China, which also adds that "Chinese tech companies have been the subject of recent controversy," referring specifically to Huawei Technologies Co. The hardware was banned by the UK. Its 5G network due to security concerns.

Although ByteDance is registered in the Cayman Islands, it is headquartered in Beijing.

It has repeatedly denied that it would give Chinese authorities access to user data.

"The TikTok platform does not work in China, and we have never provided user data to the Chinese government," a company spokesperson told Insider. TikTok is used by UK politicians and government agencies to connect and creatively reach millions of people.

To "clarify factual inaccuracies", he continued, TikTok would "welcome the opportunity to speak directly" with the politicians who signed the letter.
According to documents Insider was able to obtain, Parliament first discussed launching a TikTok account in April 2021, which actually happened more than a year ago.

The @UKParliament handle, which was acquired by another user but not used, was provided to Parliament staff after meeting TikTok employees in August 2021.

A 13-page PowerPoint presentation was given to employees on February 21, 2022, showcasing examples of other organizations using TikTok for public outreach.

Parliament held internal discussions until March 2022, when the project gained momentum. To make sure the development will please you from a security standpoint, a staff member emailed.

According to the email, security advice was given, but it was corrected before it was given to Insider. An employee posted: "TikTok is GO!!! (almost)" on March 30.

Parliament opened the account on 28 July.

The lawmakers, expressing surprise and dismay in their letter, requested that the account be kept closed "until credible assurance can be given that no data can be transferred to China."

The decision to close the account was taken by parliamentary officials on August 1 after a flurry of emails within Parliament.

On 3 August, a joint letter from the Speakers of both houses of Parliament to a protesting MP stated that this was done "in the light of your response and the concerns expressed".

First cabinet led by non-white person in Britain under new PM Liz Truss

Liz Truss PM of United Kingdom will have to appoint a cabinet of sympathisers

Liz Truss wins race to be next U.K. leader, by succeeding scandal-hit Boris Johnson