Requires employees to remove TikTok and Telegram

According to the Norwegian National Security Authority's (NSM) assessment, there is a high risk if the Chinese-owned app TikTok and the app Telegram, which is of Russian origin, are installed on service devices that have access to the company's internal digital systems such as e-mail, Teams and SharePoint.

​​​​​​​"OsloMet has independent responsibility for assessing the security situation when it comes to the use of the university's internal systems. It has been concluded that all employees who have service devices from OsloMet such as mobile phones, tablets and PCs are required to delete the apps TikTok and Telegram if they have installed these on the devices, and also not to use TikTok or Telegram from the service devices", says IT Director Ketil Are Lund.

Recommends removal from private devices

Employees who have TikTok or Telegram on devices they own, and which are used to access OsloMet's internal digital systems, are recommended to remove the apps, and not to use TikTok and Telegram from these devices.

If there is a professional need for TikTok or Telegram, separate devices reserved for this type of purpose must be used. These devices may not have access to OsloMet's internal systems. If there is a need for this, it must be clarified with the immediate manager.

In its assessments, the NSM points to the increasing use of social media in the population and that the various apps collect some extensive data about the user. This is an issue that the population should be aware of.

OsloMet therefore recommends that students who have access to OsloMet's internal digital systems such as e-mail, Teams, SharePoint and Canvas from their private devices also delete TikTok and Telegram and do not use TikTok and Telegram from the device. This will help to reduce the risk of information and data going astray. Deleting the apps is a recommendation to OsloMet's students and not a requirement.

If you have any questions, contact itservicedesk@oslomet.no