“The TikTok app is no longer permitted on mobile devices that access Amazon email.”
Amazon has asked employees to remove the popular social video-sharing app TikTok from their mobile devices.
First reported by The New York Times, Amazon circulated an email to staff on Friday requesting that they delete the app from any devices that “access Amazon email.”
“Due to security risks, the TikTok app is no longer permitted on mobile devices that access Amazon email,” the email read.
“If you have TikTok on your device, you must remove it by 10-Jul to retain mobile access to Amazon email. At this time, using TikTok from your Amazon laptop browser is allowed.”
The email was subsequently published by multiple reporters on Twitter.
In a statement to CNN, a TikTok spokesperson said, “While Amazon did not communicate to us before sending their email, and we still do not understand their concerns, we welcome a dialogue so we can address any issues they may have and enable their team to continue participating in our community.
“We’re proud that tens of millions of Americans turn to TikTok for entertainment, inspiration, and connection, including many of the Amazon employees and contractors who have been on the frontlines of this pandemic.”
Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok, among the fastest growing digital platforms in history, is facing heavy scrutiny outside China. India banned TikTok and other Chinese apps in June.
TikTok is one of the fastest growing digital platforms in history but has come under heavy scrutiny outside China, with India banning TikTok and other Chinese apps earlier this year.
In June, TikTok was caught copying user clipboard data when running in the background. The feature was discovered due to a new feature in iOS 14 but it remains unclear how long it was present in the app.
TikTok has since removed the feature but it has increased the security concerns surrounding the video sharing app.
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