The University of Oklahoma has announced that it will be banning the popular social media app TikTok on all of its campuses, following an executive order issued by Governor Kevin Stitt citing national security concerns.
University of Oklahoma Bans TikTok
As first reported by Fox News, David Horton, senior associate vice president and chief information officer at the university, wrote to students on Dec. 20 to inform them that, as per the governor's Executive Order 2022-33, no university employee or student shall access the TikTok application or website on university-owned or operated devices, including OU wired and wireless networks.
TikTok is now banned from state devices and state networks in Oklahoma.
— Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt) December 8, 2022
We will not participate in helping the Chinese Communist Party gain access to government information.
In the statement, the university explained that it decided to protect the security and privacy of its students, faculty, and staff. The statement also noted that TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has been the subject of scrutiny from the U.S. government due to concerns about the app's handling of user data and its potential for use in espionage and propaganda efforts by the Chinese government.
The ban will apply to all university-owned devices, as well as personal devices used on campus. Students and staff will not be allowed to download or use the app on any device while on campus. The University of Oklahoma has been one of many institutions to take action against TikTok. Northeastern State University, a public university in Tahlequah, similarly blocked the app immediately after the governor's directive.
Heightened Concerns
The effort to ban TikTok is being driven by mounting worries about the app's data collection methods and possible connections to the Chinese government. The likelihood that the app may propagate false information and sway public opinion has been questioned. Felix Krause, a software expert, found that TikTok can monitor each tap you make on its iOS app while you're browsing. Important details like the passwords you enter and the links you visit are included in this.
https://t.co/KwZ3dtKyQf - a new tool I used to investigate the in-app browsers of apps (that use them) to look for any external JavaScript code being injected. pic.twitter.com/XSdXOpXYlq
— Felix Krause (@KrauseFx) August 18, 2022
In August 2020, the Trump administration issued an executive order seeking to ban the app in the U.S., citing similar national security concerns. A federal judge later blocked the ban, but the U.S. government has continued to express concerns about TikTok and its potential risks to national security.
The universities' decision to ban TikTok has been met with mixed reactions from students and faculty. Some have expressed support for the move, stating that it is necessary to protect the security and privacy of the university community. Others have criticized the decision, arguing that it is an overreaction and that there is no clear evidence to support the claims of national security risks associated with TikTok.
Regardless of the differing opinions, it is clear that the said institutions are taking the issue of national security seriously and are taking steps to protect the privacy and security of its students, faculty, and staff.
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