Texas Governor Greg Abbot has announced a statewide plan to ban the use of TikTok. A press release regarding the potential statewide model security plan specifically plans to “address vulnerabilities presented by the use of TikTok and other software on personal and state-issued devices.”
The press release speaks to the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Department of Information Resource following Governor Abbot’s directives in regard to risks attributed to TikTok and similar platforms. Thus, leading to the announcement of this model plan.
Texas Governor Announces Plan to Ban TikTok
According to a press release, Texas Governor Greg Abbot has announced a statewide plan to ban the use of TikTok. Specifically, the plan will, “guide state agencies on managing personal and state-issued decides used to conduct state business.”
The plan was reportedly developed to “address vulnerabilities presented by the use of TikTok and other software on personal and state-issued devices.” Furthermore, the release calls for various state agencies to “implement its own police to enforce this statewide plan.”
“The security risks associated with the use of TikTok on decided used to conduct the important business of our state must not be underestimated or ignored,” The Governor noted. Additionally stating, “Owned by a Chinese company that employs Chinese Communist Party members, TikTok harvests significant amounts of data from a user’s device, including details about a user’s internet activity.”
Moreover, stating, “Other Prohibited technologies listed in the statewide model plan also produce a similar threat to the security of Texans.” Conversely, the plan specifically bans the use of TikTok, and related technologies, on “state-issued cell phones, laptops, tablets, desktop computers, and other devices capable of internet connectivity.” Thereafter, calling for, “each agency’s IT department must strictly enforce this ban.”
Conclusively, the plan issues several other aspects of the impending ban. Stating “prohibited technology-enabled personal devices,” are to be barred from entry in specific “sensitive locations,” at the best of the agency. As well as “network-based restrictions,” and continued work to “update the list of prohibited technologies.”