This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
Amazon has taken steps to address security concerns by instructing its employees to remove the TikTok app from their company phones. According to reports, workers will still be able to access the platform using laptop web browsers, but will lose access to company email on smartphones that have TikTok installed.
The concern appears to be that the TikTok mobile app could potentially access Amazon company email, as stated in an internal message posted online.
TikTok has denied any allegations of snooping, stating that it has never provided user data to the Chinese government and would not do so if asked. The company has also welcomed a dialogue with Amazon to address any issues and enable its team to continue participating in the TikTok community.
Amazon's decision comes as the popular video-sharing platform faces increasing scrutiny over its ties to China. TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, is based in China, and the app has been accused of leaking user data to the Chinese government.
US President Donald Trump has also considered banning TikTok as a way to punish China over the coronavirus pandemic. Top US lawmakers have raised concerns over the potential for TikTok to leak user data to the Chinese government.
India recently blocked the platform on national security grounds following a deadly border clash between its soldiers and Chinese forces. TikTok has denied any wrongdoing, stating that it has never provided user data to the Chinese government.
