Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat, has revealed a full ban on TikTok in the UK has not been ruled out amid security concerns. 

Mr Tugendhat said this morning he is awaiting a review from the National Cyber Security Centre before deciding on the “hugely important question”.

Senior MPs in the UK are putting pressure on Prime Minister, Rishu Sunak to follow the US and the European Union in banning the Chinese-owned app from Government phones and devices. 

This comes just weeks after Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, revealed he would be banning the use of TikTok on all government-issued devices because of security concerns surrounding the social media app.  

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat, said a full ban on Tik Tok hasn't been ruled outSecurity Minister, Tom Tugendhat, said a full ban on Tik Tok hasn't been ruled out (Image: Kirsty O'Connor/PA)

The app claimed the ban took place "without citing any specific security concerns about TikTok or contacting us to discuss any concern prior to making this decision".

Mr Sunak said the UK will “look at what our allies are doing”, with Washington and the European Commission having also banned TikTok on staff phones.

Asked by Times Radio if he would go one step further and order a fully-fledged ban on the app, like those ordered by India and former US president Donald Trump, Mr Tugendhat said: "I’m not going to give you an answer until I know what the risks are.

“I don’t have it, and the Prime Minister asked me to defend the leading democracy taskforce a little while ago. 

"As part of that we’re looking at the various threats to parliamentarians but also to journalists.

“Looking at the various different apps people have on their phones and the implications for them is a hugely important question and I’ve asked the National Cyber Security Centre to look into this.”

PA News said TikTok has long argued it does not share data with China, but Chinese intelligence legislation requires firms to assist the Communist Party when requested.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: TikTok has long argued it does not share data with ChinaTikTok has long argued it does not share data with China (Image: PA)

Parliament’s TikTok account was shut down last year after MPs raised concerns about the firm’s links to China.

In a separate interview with Sky News, Mr Tugendhat added: “What certainly is clear is for many young people TikTok is now a news source and, just as it’s quite right we know who owns the news sources in the UK, it’s important we know who owns the news sources that are feeding into our phones.”