TIKKED OFF
CHINA is using TikTok to spy on us and Brits should delete the app now, a Tory MP has warned.
Alicia Kearns said millions of people were being "naïve" about the popular social media video app which could be sending details back to China.
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She told Sky that she'd seen evidence that people working in China for the social media firm had allegedly hacked into European data and track down journalists' sources.
And the Chinese-owned app is giving the rogue nation information about us that could be useful - including interests, regular locations or friendships.
The Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee urged Brits to delete the app "without question" or be put at risk too.
She told Sky's Sophie Ridge: "Get off it, don't be naïve" and insisted she did not have it on her own phone either.
She added: "It is not worth having that vulnerability on your phone and it is the ultimate data source for anyone with hostile efforts.
"The fact is now this isn’t just me saying I’m worried, delete it, we have evidence that Tik Tok has been used to track down sources for journalists.
"Everyone should be concerned about that.
"China is building a tech totalitarian state on the back of our data so we have to get far more serious about protecting ourselves.
"There is a reason why China have this app, there’s a reason why they are buying up gay dating apps – our data is a key vulnerability."
It comes after the US shot down a Chinese spy-balloon over America yesterday.
The surveillance aircraft was dramatically shot down by two F-22 fighter jets off of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina yesterday afternoon.
Crowds were seen cheering after the balloon plummeted into the ocean, where its wreckage is being gathered by divers and other military personnel.
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And Business Secretary Grant Shapps said Britain would have done the same if it had happened here.
He said this morning: "we fully support the US and the action they've taken.
"It cannot be right to send spy balloons floating over mainland of the United States and the UK would always take its national security very seriously."
A TikTok spokesperson said: "TikTok is enjoyed by millions of people across the UK, and we want to be clear that they can trust us with their data.
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"We're taking steps like storing UK user data in our data centre operations in Ireland, starting this year; further reducing employee access to data; and minimising data flows outside of Europe.
"We have written to Ms. Kearns on a number of occasions to ensure she has all the facts and information available and we look forward to having constructive engagement with her on these important issues in the near future."