TikTok has been banned from United States Navy devices due to security fears.
In a bulletin circulated across board the Navy ordered the app banned from all Navy issued devices over concerns of national security.
The note further warned that anyone found with the app still installed on their phone will be banned from accessing the Navy Marine Corps Intranet.
In a statement sent to Reuters, Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Uriah Orland said the order was part of an effort to “address existing and emerging threats”.
The “Cyber Awareness Message”, which was disseminated to personnel on December 16, “identifies the potential risk associated with using the TikTok app and directs appropriate action for employees to take in order to safeguard their personal information.”
TikTok, an Instagram competition has over a billion users worldwide. The app is popular with teenagers especially in the U.S. Naval Cadets were ordered not to use the app since last month after concerns were raised by Senator Chuck Schumer.
A spokesman explained that Naval and Marine’s personnel were generally allowed to use popular social media app on government-issued phones and devices but from time to time an app may come under review and be banned for security reasons.
TikTok’s parent company is currently under review by the U.S government after it acquired a U.S music company Musical.ly for one billion dollars last month.