France Prohibits TikTok and Candy Crush from Government-Issued Mobile Devices

France’s ban on “recreational” apps like TikTok and Candy Crush from government-issued mobile devices is aimed at reducing cybersecurity risks that could potentially jeopardize sensitive data, according to the office of public service minister Stanislas Guerini. The new restrictions apply to public servants’ devices, and do not affect personal devices. The government has not provided an exact list of banned apps, but said that exceptions could be made for necessary communication. The policy is not aimed at any one app category or country, but rather a general concern that entertainment apps could pose an unnecessary risk to government data.

Similar restrictions have been implemented in the US federal government, dozens of states, Canada, the European Commission, and the UK. TikTok has denied any collaboration with the Chinese government, and CEO Shou Chew testified before a House committee that American user data would not be accessible to staff in other countries by the end of this year.