UK’s chief spy issues warning to ‘think before you use TikTok’

BRITAIN’S spy chief has issued a warning for all parents of children using viral app TikTok.

The head of GCHQ, Sir Jeremy Fleming, is urging parents to take a closer look at the app.

TikTok is a wildly popular video app with over a billion users logging on each month.

But security experts have previously raised concerns about the company’s Chinese ownership.

Now the boss of UK cyber-spying agency GCHQ has told parents that they should discuss online safety with children who use the app.

He didn’t say that youngsters should quit the app – which is owned by Chinese firm ByeDance – but just be more mindful about what they share.

“I would speak to my child about the way in which they think about their personal data on their device,” Sir Jeremy told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

“Because I think it’s really important from a very early age that we understand that there is no free good here.

“When we are using these services we are exchanging our data for that.

“And if it’s proportionate and we’re happy with the way that data is safeguarded then that’s great.

“Make the most of that, make those videos, use TikTok – but just think before you do.”

TikTok terror

TikTok has plenty of great content for young people, but no social media app is perfectly safe.

Just last month, a hack that allowed accounts to be hijacked was revealed.

There were also fears over spying when using the built-in TikTok web browser.

And TikTok has played host to countless dangerous viral challenges.

The app has been investigated over child safety multiple times, including a Californian state inquiry earlier this year.

Sir Jeremy also issued a warning about the long-term security risks of using Chinese tech.

And he even told how China is building Star Wars-style weapons to take control of space.

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science team? Email us at tech@the-sun.co.uk