UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has officially launched his TikTok account, even though the video-sharing platform remains banned on government devices due to security concerns.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister confirmed that “security mitigations” have been put in place to allow him to use the platform safely.
First Videos: Christmas Lights & Global Diplomacy
In his first post, Starmer appeared alongside his wife during the Downing Street Christmas lights switch-on ceremony, telling viewers:
“TikTok, follow me.”
A second video features:
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky hugging Starmer outside No. 10
Joined by France’s President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
Ahead of talks on proposals to end the Ukraine–Russia war
TikTok Ban Still Stands
The UK banned TikTok on government devices in March 2023, citing data security concerns related to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
Similar restrictions are in place across several Western nations.
Though an official “10 Downing Street” TikTok account launched under Boris Johnson in May 2022, it went inactive after three months.
Starmer’s spokesman reiterated:
“Restrictions on the use of the app on most government devices remain in place.
A Communication Strategy Shift as Poll Ratings Lag
Starmer’s embrace of TikTok is widely seen as an effort to connect with younger and digitally active voters, especially as his government battles persistently low approval ratings.
Only days earlier, he launched a Substack newsletter to promote government efforts—including new policies aimed at reducing child poverty.
“Communication is changing, and I want to be a part of that,” Starmer wrote on Substack.
The government has also begun engaging influencers, giving two personal-finance creators front-row seats at a recent press conference.
Despite privacy concerns, TikTok remains one of the most widely used apps globally, boasting:
1.5 billion users worldwide
Over 30 million regular users in the UK
Starmer now joins other world leaders on the platform, including:
French President Emmanuel Macron
US President Donald Trump
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese