TikTok, while popular with US users, is not as well-liked when it comes to US governments. Over the past months, state after state has been issuing a ban on the app for government-owned devices. The newest to join the club is New York.
NYC Bans TikTok on City-Owned Devices
A new directive will force local agencies to remove the app from government-issued devices and networks, as well as prevent them from downloading TikTok from here on out. Those who hold the affected devices will be given 30 days to comply with the new policy.
The issue has already been confirmed by a City Hall spokesperson, who also said that the restrictions come as a review by the city's Cyber Command said that it "posed a security threat to the city's technical networks and directed its removal from city-owned devices."
So far, there have already been 35 states who have the same restriction, as mentioned in Gizmodo, all of which share the same concern that TikTok may pose a security risk due to its ties since ByteDance is a China-based company.
The NYC Cyber Command stated that while social media is a great way of connecting New Yorkers, they have to ensure that the platforms are used in a secure manner, adding that the Cyber Command regularly explored proactive measures to keep New Yorkers' data safe.
The ban in New York City has a bit more weight to it, especially since it is where Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman reside, both of whom are known to defend the app when it comes to a full national ban calling it "unprecedented."
New York City's ban on TikTok on government-owned devices is not to be mistaken with the New York State, as the latter had already done it back in 2020. It was done even before the bipartisan call to ban the short-form video app in the entire US.
The recent policy is not expected to get a lot of pushback, since it only impacts devices that are used for government matters, meaning that devices owned by its citizens can keep and download the app still. The same cannot be said for the state of Montana.
Montana Issues the First State-Wide Ban
The state of Montana took the matter more seriously as it banned app use and download for all its citizens, not only state-owned devices. Governor Greg Gianforte already signed the bill which restricts the download and access to TikTok back in May.
App stores will not be allowed to give users the option to download TikTok, and the state has received a lot of backlash since it was implemented. Many claim that the restriction was violating their rights to freedom of speech and expression.
Gov. Gianforte stated that the Chinese Communist Party is using the app to "spy on Americans, violate their privacy, and collect their personal, private, and sensitive information is well-documented," as reported by NBC News.
The law has been met not only with criticism but lawsuits, with content creators stating that TikTok is a way for them to earn, not just to express themselves. The creators are backed by TikTok spokesperson, Brooke Oberwetter.
