TikTok app. Credit: XanderSt/Shutterstock.comRopes & Gray Bans Social Media App Due To Confidentiality Concerns
The US firm has rolled out a global ban of the TikTok app after clients voiced privacy concerns.
July 17, 2020 at 06:47 AM
2 minute read
Ropes & Gray has banned its lawyers and staff from having video-sharing social media app TikTok on devices where they receive work emails after clients raised concerns over privacy issues.
The move followed media reports that the app, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, is able to access personal data stored on devices including information saved to a device's clipboard, according to a person at the firm.
Ropes' response will apply to its global network and comes after at least one client shared their concerns with the firm, the person said. TikTok has previously denied allegations that it shares information about its users with the Chinese government.
The move comes amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and China. On Friday, the Financial Times reported that U.S. President Trump is considering putting TikTok on a blacklist that could prevent Americans from using the app.
Law firms have been conscious of the need to scrutinise their technology in recent months as their workforces have needed to vacate offices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the U.K.'s coronavirus-induced lockdown which began in March, law firms have taken a series of approaches to better protect client confidentiality while lawyers work remotely.
Clifford Chance and DWF banned their lawyers from using printers at home, while in April Mishcon de Reya moved to ban the use of video conferencing app Zoom without prior consent from clients.
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