Amazon tells staff to delete TikTok, then retracts

Internal email had cited 'security risks' in having the Chinese-owned video app on mobile devices

Amazon.com headquarters in Seattle: The U.S. e-commerce giant is requiring employees to remove the popular short-video app TikTok from their mobile devices by July 10. (Photo courtesy of Amazon.com)

YIFAN YU, Nikkei staff writer

July 11, 2020 03:19 JST

Updated on July 11, 2020 06:43 JST

PALO ALTO, U.S. -- Amazon.com has retracted an internal email instructing employees to delete the popular short-video app TikTok from their mobile devices.

"Due to security risks, the TikTok app is no longer permitted on mobile devices that access Amazon email," the American e-commerce giant had said in the Friday morning message seen by the Nikkei Asian Review. "If you have TikTok on your device, you must remove it by 10-Jul to retain mobile access to Amazon email."