South Dakota bans TikTok from government devices due to data leaks

It is learned that on November 29, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem signed an executive order banning the download of the popular Chinese social media platform TikTok on state-owned devices used by South Dakota government employees, contractors and agencies.

Recently, the FBI said TikTok could raise national security concerns due to the potential data collection or influence it could have on users. According to NPR, Chinese policy allows the government to force companies operating in the country to share their data. There are concerns that data collection could include personal data.

"We must take this action immediately because of our serious responsibility to protect the private data of South Dakota citizens," the South Dakota governor said.

It is reported that the ban takes effect immediately and prohibits the use of the TikTok application or access to the website on state-owned or state-leased electronic devices.

The SD Department of Tourism has deactivated its account on TikTok, which includes accounts at South Dakota State University, the University of South Dakota and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. It is unclear what will happen to the TikTok accounts of South Dakota public universities.

Rep. Dusty Johnson introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives this summer that would ban the use of TikTok on federal employee devices and prohibit the use of the app at U.S. military facilities, national security agencies, the NSA or the FBI, and intelligence agencies such as the CIA. Former President Donald Trump previously restricted the popular app through an executive order in 2020.

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