WELLINGTON - As the newest country to restrict TikTok use on devices used for government business, New Zealand announced on Friday that it would prohibit the video-sharing app from being used on any devices that have access to the country's parliamentary network due to cybersecurity concerns.

Global worries have grown over the possibility that ByteDance, the Tik Tok Chinese parent company, could give the Chinese government access to users' contact information and location information.

The seriousness of those worries was highlighted this week when the Biden administration demanded that TikTok's Chinese owners sell their holdings or risk having the app banned in the United States.

By the end of March, TikTok will no longer be accessible on any New Zealand devices connected to the network of the parliament. Rafael Gonzalez-Montero, the chief executive of the Parliamentary Service, said the choice was made after consulting cybersecurity specialists and having discussions both within the government and with other nations.

According to Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, New Zealand's cybersecurity and information technology policies differ from those of other countries. TikTok has already been banned on work devices by the defense force and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. A request for comment from Reuters was not immediately answered by ByteDance.

A New Zealand Defence Force spokesperson told Reuters in an email that the action was taken as a "precautionary approach to protect the safety and security" of the personnel.

The app was immediately prohibited on government phones in Britain on Thursday. The app must be removed from official devices by the end of March for U.S. government organizations.

TikTok has stated that it thinks the recent bans are motivated by larger geopolitics and based on "fundamental misconceptions," adding that it has invested more than $1.5 billion in strict data security measures and denies claims of spying.