"In light of recent events, we've decided to stop operations of the TikTok app in Kong Kong," a spokesman for TikTok told the news agency.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the United States was weighing up a ban on access to the Chinese social media application TikTok over privacy concerns.
When asked if the Trump administration would follow the lead of the Indian authorities, who have already announced a ban on the application, Pompeo cited the current restrictions in place against several Chinese tech companies, including Huawei and ZTE.
National Security Law
The move comes after the adoption by China of its new national security law for Hong Kong.
Under the new national security law, which entered force last week, Chinese authorities no longer need a court order to request user data from internet companies such as Facebook and Twitter and local authorities are permitted to supervise Hong Kong citizens’ internet correspondences.
According to the Wall Street Journal, many citizens in recent days have deleted their social media accounts over fears that they may be violating the new law.
Zoom and LinkedIn Take Action
Meanwhile, US virtual conferences programme Zoom will suspend processing data requests from Hong Kong authorities, following the entry into force of China's national security law, the Hong Kong Free Press outlet reported Tuesday.
"We’re actively monitoring the developments in Hong Kong SAR, including any potential guidance from the U.S. government. We have paused processing any data requests from, and related to, Hong Kong SAR," a spokesperson for Zoom told the outlet.
In a parallel development, LinkedIn has announced that it is pausing responses to requests from Hong Kong law enforcement.
