TikTok is now banned on the networks of the University of Texas after several national and state leaders expressed their concerns regarding the potential risks of using social media through state-owned devices. The company has been accused of harvesting user data for Chinese authorities.
An employee looks at his mobile phone as he walks past the logo of the video-focused social networking service TikTok, at the TikTok UK offices, in London, on February 9, 2022. - With a billion users, TikTok has rapidly become one of the most important players in the music industry, and now has its sights set on revolutionising the way artists are discovered and get paid. TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images
(Photo : TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images) An employee looks at his mobile phone as he walks past the logo of the video-focused social networking service TikTok, at the TikTok UK offices, in London, on February 9, 2022. - With a billion users, TikTok has rapidly become one of the most important players in the music industry, and now has its sights set on revolutionising the way artists are discovered and get paid.
Blocking TikTok on Campus
TikTok is popular among college students, teens, young adults, and even children. But as several concerns from different people increase, their screen time for the application may lessen because of this.
Students of the University of Texas at Austin will not be able to use TikTok on school premises due to national concerns. According to a report from Bloomberg, the university will permanently block the access on its systems that will prohibit devices to use the application on both wired or WiFi networks.
This means that the IP address associated with TikTok will be blocked. However, students can still access the application through cellular data on their personal phones. The notice was sent through
UT President's Technology Strategy Advisor Jeff Nylan stated, "The university is taking these important steps to eliminate risks to the information contained in the university's network and to our critical infrastructure." He also cited the directive from Governor Greg Abbott to ban the application for safety purposes.
Abbott ordered all state agency employees to ban the usage and download of TikTok on government-issued devices.
The Hill reported that the University of Texas's athletic department account on the platform has 260,000 followers but has not posted on the platform since November last year.
TikTok spokesperson stated, "We're disappointed that so many states are jumping on the political bandwagon to enact policies that will do nothing to advance cybersecurity in their states and are based on unfounded falsehoods about TikTok."
Government-Owned Devices
The university joins other campuses and at least 25 state governments across the United States in banning the application due to concerns as it could pose national security and privacy risks. TikTok is owned by Chinese company firm ByteDance Ltd.
Concerns flocked around from federal and local officials regarding the company's ownership and whether the government can access the user data of Americans. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and FBI Director Chris Wray are among the officials who have raised concerns regarding this issue.
All of the mentioned universities blocked TikTok after Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, Boise Governor Brad Little, and Auburn Governor Kay Ivey issued their own executive orders to their respective states.
Forbes reported that University of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue also sent a memorandum to the system's 26 colleges in December to do the same thing. Meanwhile, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte urges Montana University and its four universities to issue similar bans.
