As an employer, you want your company's data and that of your customers to be secure and not fall into the wrong hands. However, allowing certain (social) applications in the workplace can pose risks. One example is TikTok, the popular app for sharing short videos. Although the app is primarily used by young people, it could potentially be installed by employees at work or used from personal resources. But is this wise, and where is the line?

A key risk with TikTok is the protection of sensitive data. TikTok is owned by a Chinese company called ByteDance. This means the app falls under Chinese law and is required by the Chinese government to cooperate with government requests. In addition, there are concerns about user privacy and the way TikTok collects and processes data. As a result, the European Parliament has banned the use of TikTok by employees, and a bill has been introduced in the United States.

There are also risks associated with allowing TikTok in the workplace in terms of third-party management (using external services). Using this app could inadvertently expose your company's data to third parties. For example, customer contact information could be leaked via TikTok.

The Flemish government has already blocked TikTok for government employees. The Dutch political parties are also in favor of banning TikTok on government employees' work phones. As an employer, it is wise to consider what apps you will and will not allow in the workplace. After all, it is important to ensure the security of sensitive data. What steps has your company taken?

Summary

Allowing TikTok in the workplace carries risks in terms of privacy, protection of sensitive data, and is a form of third-party management. As an employer, it is wise to think carefully about which apps to allow in the workplace. Blocking apps like TikTok can be an important step in keeping company and customer data secure. It is also important to make employees aware of the risks of using certain apps in the workplace and how to deal with them. This is not just about using apps, but also about taking and sharing photos via media.

If you decide to allow TikTok in the workplace, it is important to have good agreements with employees. For example, you can agree that the app can only be used for personal purposes and not for work-related activities. You can also make agreements about sharing company information through the app and how that will be handled. It is important to record these agreements in a protocol and/or policy. By taking a conscious approach to allowing apps in the workplace and making good agreements with employees, you as an employer can contribute to a safe work environment.