SEE IT: Glenn Youngkin bans TikTok on state devices and wireless networks
Julia Johnson
Video Embed
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) has joined the list of Republican governors who are banning TikTok and other social media deemed security risks.
In a Friday executive order, Youngkin said that “applications and websites such as TikTok and WeChat provide foreign governments, such as the Chinese Communist Party, with the potential to gain access to the information stored on mobile devices, including location services and browsing history,” explaining the need for such action.
ANGELINA JOLIE STEPS DOWN AS SPECIAL ENVOY TO UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES
iFrame Object
The order prohibits the download or use of TikTok, WeChat, and other applications by ByteDance or Tencent by state agencies, employees, and contractors on government devices.
Further, agencies and employees are prohibited from accessing the apps through Virginia’s “owned, operated, or maintained wireless network.”
“TikTok and WeChat data are a channel to the Chinese Communist Party, and their continued presence represents a threat to national security, the intelligence community, and the personal privacy of every single American,” Youngkin said. “We are taking this step today to secure state government devices and wireless networks from the threat of infiltration and ensure that we safeguard the data and cybersecurity of state government.”
Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears added, “All Americans must be vigilant to stop infiltration by the CCP and all hostile governments and entities who wish the United States harm.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
This comes as GOP governors across the country have taken similar action, with the exception of a select few. On Wednesday, a bill passed in the Senate by unanimous consent that would ban TikTok on federal government devices. However, the bill’s prospects are not as clear in the House of Representatives.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) recently signaled her support for adding a provision banning the app on government devices to the major appropriations bill, which will be on the House floor next week.