SEE IT: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox joins growing list of GOP states banning TikTok on state devices
Julia Johnson
Video Embed
Through an executive order on Monday, Gov. Spencer Cox (R-UT) banned the controversial social media app TikTok on state devices.
“China’s access to data collected by TikTok presents a threat to our cybersecurity,” Cox said in a press release. “As a result, we’ve deleted our TikTok account and ordered the same on all state-owned devices. We must protect Utahns and make sure that the people of Utah can trust the state’s security systems.”
HERE ARE ALL THE STATES TAKING ACTION TO BAN TIKTOK ON GOVERNMENT DEVICES
https://twitter.com/GovCox/status/1602336219458936832?s=20&t=LhvcIBzQZB-vAeJLtlySww
The order prohibits the download or use of TikTok on state devices by employees or contractors. Further, it notes that “an agency may not sponsor content on TikTok or maintain an agency-branded or agency-sponsored TikTok account.”
Cox joins a growing list of governors who have taken similar action within the past two weeks. Despite Gov. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) taking action in 2020, Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) sparked renewed urgency to address the app’s threats late last month. She was swiftly followed by the governors of South Carolina, Texas, Maryland, and Oklahoma.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Notably, bans against TikTok have only been put in motion by Republican governors across the country, and more are expected to take action in the coming days.
In a statement to the Washington Examiner regarding these bans, TikTok said, “We’re disappointed that so many states are jumping on the bandwagon to enact policies based on unfounded, politically charged falsehoods about TikTok. It is unfortunate that the many state agencies, offices, and universities on TikTok in those states will no longer be able to use it to build communities and connect with constituents.”