By New York City has joined other governments in implementing new rules to prevent potential security risks from TikTok, a social media app from China.
According to The Verge, this ban is now in effect and requires city agencies to remove TikTok from devices owned by the city within the next 30 days. The NYC Cyber Command, responsible for handling cyber threats, recommended this ban after conducting a security assessment.
Back in 2020, the state of New York also prohibited the use of TikTok on government devices. Similarly, several other states like New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, and Georgia have implemented their own bans over the past few years.
The U.S. House of Representatives took a similar step in December by banning TikTok on government devices. The Biden administration has been increasing pressure on TikTok, aiming to sever its ties with Chinese ownership.
Earlier this year, TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, appeared before Congress to address concerns that the Chinese government might exploit the app for compromising national security. Unlike other major U.S. social media companies, TikTok is owned by the Chinese tech giant ByteDance.
TikTok has stated that it has not shared, and will not share, American user data with the Chinese government. The company has also taken substantial measures to protect user privacy and security.
Prominent U.S. security officials, including FBI Director Christopher Wray and CIA Director William Burns, have expressed worries about TikTok. They believe the app poses a threat as the Chinese government could potentially manipulate software on millions of devices and promote content that divides Americans.
Former President Donald Trump attempted to ban new TikTok downloads in 2020, but legal challenges prevented the ban from being enforced.
Across many American states and towns, the use of TikTok on government-owned smartphones is prohibited. Recently, Montana passed a law that will make TikTok illegal throughout the state starting from January 1. However, this law is currently facing legal challenges.
For over three years, there have been efforts in Congress to enact nationwide bans on TikTok. Lawmakers claim that the app and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, might use collected data to spy on Americans.
Several U.S. states have already banned TikTok on government devices, and some governors are trying to take further steps. Montana’s Governor Greg Gianforte signed a bill in May that bans the app throughout the entire state. This move led to legal action from TikTok users and the company, who argued that the law infringed on the free speech rights of Montana residents.
Despite efforts to improve its image in the U.S. and changes in data handling, TikTok has faced criticism due to past mistakes. Last year, it was revealed that ByteDance employees used the app to track journalists’ IP addresses in an attempt to curb internal leaks. This incident has raised concerns and affected the company’s attempts to gain trust from international regulators.
