Gov. Mike Dunleavy has issued an order banning the social media app TikTok from State of Alaska-issued equipment.
“Simply put, TikTok poses a risk to any network or user it touches,” Dunleavy wrote in a memo to commissioners.
In November, FBI Director Christopher Wray warned of security concerns regarding the Chinese-owned company ByteDance. U.S. officials have said that the Chinese government can force the company to share the extensive data it collects on its users. Wray said the Chinese company “doesn’t share our values.”
“National security experts continue to highlight TikTok as a national security concern, including the possibility that the Chinese government may use TikTok to control data collection, influence TikTok’s recommendation algorithm, and compromise personal devices. Use of TikTok on state-owned electronic devices or on private devices that are connected to state networks poses a risk that a foreign government may access confidential or private data from State agencies and employees,” Dunleavy said.
“Therefore, effective immediately, all State Executive Branch agencies, including all departments, corporations, authorities, divisions, offices, bureaus, or other entities may not use TikTok on any State-owned electronic device, download or use the TikTok application or visit any TikTok website on the State network. Additionally, if TikTok is currently downloaded on any State device, it must be immediately removed, and appropriate steps shall be taken to secure the device,” his office wrote.
“Alaskans must remain vigilant to evolving threats both domestically and abroad and work together to defend ourselves against these threats, in order to defend our way of life and right to privacy.”
Today’s announcement from Gov. Dunleavy comes as states across the country, as well as the federal government, move to prohibit TikTok from government devices. TikTok has more than 1 billion active global users.
The governor’s full memo can be found here.
