Due to concerns about potential security threats to urban network technology and data, TikTok, originating from China, has been banned from use on any government agency devices, with New York City being the latest government entity to join this prohibition.
On Thursday, a statement issued by a spokesperson for New York City Hall confirmed this, specifying that the city demands all agencies must delete the social media application within the next 30 days to protect data and avoid any security risks. A statement from the Office of the Mayor of New York City expressed that although social media strengthens the connections between cities and individuals, it should not be present on government devices to ensure the safety of network technology and data.
New York City government's TikTok accounts are being progressively shut down. For instance, the city's Health and Police Departments have already discontinued their use of the TikTok app. The Health Department's TikTok bio has been updated to "This account was ceased operation in August 2023."
In addition to New York City joining the ranks of those banning TikTok, other states in the United States are gradually banning or suspending the use of TikTok on all government devices. Montana was the first state to prohibit the use of TikTok on all government devices. Montana's Governor Greg Gianforte has declared to protect residents' personal information from being leaked and has signed a ban on using TikTok on government devices effective from January 1, 2024.
Besides the gradual prohibition of TikTok on government devices across various U.S. states, other countries like New Zealand and Canada have also expressed prohibition of social media mobile applications from China and Russia, citing concerns over network technology safety and data security and privacy.
Although TikTok has always insisted that it operates independently in the United States or Western countries, ensuring all user data is safe and protected, it has not yet responded to the initiation of the ban by New York City.
