New York bans TikTok on public devices

TikTok is banned on public devices in many states. (Photo: The Verge).

The US Congress voted to ban TikTok from public devices starting in 2022, and several states have since followed suit. Concerns stemming from the app’s Chinese origins have prompted many US policymakers to worry that domestic user information could be accessed by Beijing if TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is forced to hand over data under the law.

A spokesperson for New York City Hall said the ban was issued after the city’s Cyber Command concluded that TikTok “poses a security risk to the city’s technical network.” “While social media does a great job of connecting New Yorkers to each other and to the city, we must ensure that these platforms are used safely,” the spokesperson said.

New York City agencies must delete the app from government devices within 30 days. City employees are prohibited from downloading or using the app or accessing TikTok’s website on government- issued devices.

TikTok has presented a plan to the U.S. government to help secure American user data, but it has not been enough to assuage regulators’ concerns. Congress has tried for more than three years to push for a nationwide ban on TikTok, without success.

Several states have also banned TikTok from government devices, but some mayors have gone even further. In May, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte signed a bill banning the app statewide, becoming the first state in the US to do so. Shortly after, TikTok users and TikTok sued the state, alleging that it violated Montanans’ free speech rights.

According to the Times Union, New York state banned TikTok on government devices in 2020 through an internal policy. However, the policy still allows public relations staff to use the app for marketing purposes.

(According to The Verge, CNBC)

Expanding the "clean advertising" list to Facebook, TikTok, YouTube accounts. Producers and creators of digital content on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube can register to join the "clean" content list (White List) with confirmation and assessment from the Ministry of Information and Communications .

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