Cabinet Office: Social Media

In March 2023 the previous government introduced a precautionary ban specifically on the TikTok application on government mobile devices following a security review, alongside announcing new policy on the control of all third-party applications on government devices. The precautionary ban on TikTok remains in place.

The cross-government Mobile Device Management (MDM) policy was published in 2023. The policy requires all government organisations and their Arm’s Length Bodies to control which third-party apps can be installed and run on corporate mobile devices using an allow list of approved apps or, in exceptional circumstances only, using a deny list of apps that are specifically prohibited.

The government does not have specific policy on use of the WeChat or Telegraph applications on government devices - this is because the MDM policy provides a comprehensive, strategic response to the risks posed to government device data, as opposed to taking a more piecemeal “app-by-app” approach. This ensures that we are not only addressing the immediate, known risks but also future-proofing HMG against new risks as they emerge.

The MDM policy does not extend to Ministers’ personally owned devices. Due to the sensitive nature of their role, Ministers receive regular security briefings and advice on protecting their data and mitigating cyber threats, including briefing on using social media securely and the security of electronic communications. Under Cabinet Office guidance published in 2023 on use of non-corporate communications channels for government business, in general it is expected that ministers use government systems for government business.