Texas Governor Greg Abbot has banned the use of TikTock on all state issued devices. I mean, why are state officials and employees using their government issued devices to be on TikTok anyways?

CONTROL, ALT, DELETE

There’s a new FBI warning in regards to TikTok. FBI Director Chris Wray says there are potential national security dangers, and the "app could be used by China for espionage, and be manipulated to control content." So, Gov. Greg Abbott is doing his due diligence by directing state agencies to ban the use of TikTok on government issued devices.

PROTECTION OR CONTROL?

The concern is about how the China-owned app handles data on sensitive information, including data on American infrastructure. In the letter addressing state officials on Wednesday, Abbott says that:

"TikTok harvests vast amounts of data from it's users devises, including when, where and how they conduct internet activity--and offers this trove of potentially sensitive information to the Chinese government."

A TRICKLE DOWN EFFECT

With the ever growing amount of users on TikTok, and the wide age range of users on the platform, federal and state officials have always had a certain level of fear of just how close the Chinese government could be to American data. To the point that Abbott wrote a letter to Dade Phelan, Texas House Speaker, requesting a permanent solution, as well as expressing the desire for it to be pushed down to local governments as well.

TIK-TIK-BOOM

Maryland governor Larry Hogan announced a quite similar ban, adding Chinese technology makers HUAWE and ZTE, in addition to TikTok, from use on state business. TikTok made a statement to ABC News saying, "we are just disappointed that many state agencies, officials, and universities with no longer be able to use TikTok to build communities and connect with constituents."

NATTIONAL SECURITY RISK? THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT

Last month a Federal Communications Commissioner called for the US government to ban the platform altogether. According to BuzzFeed, TikTok engineers in China gained access to important sensitive information on American users. Forbes reported that TikTok’s parent company Byte Dance, had intentions to use the app to get information on American users. This is a national cyber security risk. Other states such as South Dakota, South Carolina, in Nebraska have also followed suit.

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THOUGHTS?

How do you feel about this state government ban? There's buzz that things are in the works to re-introduce the idea again of banning TikTok all together. You know, like D. Trump tried to do? Hmmmm, Japan's planning on doing it. Download our free app. Tap the chat button and share your take on this with me. I'd love to hear it.

Until the next one, K-Lew out!

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