(Reuters) – Alabama and Utah on Monday will ban the use of China-owned short-video sharing app TikTok on state government devices and computer networks over national security concerns. Joined other US states.
The action comes after last month, when the Chinese government could use a ByteDance-owned app to control data collection for millions of U.S. users, as well as recommended algorithms that could be used for influential operations. It follows FBI Director Chris Wray’s warning that the
“Disturbingly, TikTok collects an enormous amount of data, much of which has no legitimate relation to the app’s supposed video-sharing purpose. ‘s use creates an unacceptable vulnerability to Chinese intrusion operations,” said Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. statement.
Her order also directs government agencies to take all necessary steps to prevent TikTok from accessing state sensitive data.
A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement: “We are disappointed that so many states are trying to enact policies based on unsubstantiated and politically-condemned lies about TikTok.
Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr said in a tweet on Monday that at least nine states had taken action against TikTok “based on the serious security threats it poses.”
Other US states that have banned TikTok on state devices include Texas, Maryland, and South Dakota.
The state of Indiana is also suing the app, claiming it deceives users about accessing Chinese data and exposing children to adult content.
Former President Donald Trump tried in 2020 to block new US users from downloading WeChat and TikTok, which would have effectively blocked the use of those apps in the US, but a series of I lost the legal battle.
In June 2021, President Joe Biden reversed President Trump’s executive order calling for a ban on downloads and directed the Department of Commerce to investigate the security concerns the app poses.
Reported by Leah Binoy, Bengaluru. Additional reporting by his Baranjot Kaur of Bangalore. Editing by Edwina Gibbs
Our criteria: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
