Current:Home > Contact-usNew York City officially bans TikTok on all government devices-InfoLens
New York City officially bans TikTok on all government devices
View Date:2024-12-23 15:55:21
New York City is joining a wave of federal agencies and states across the U.S. in banning TikTok from government-owned devices, citing security concerns that could be associated with the app.
In a statement sent Thursday to NPR, a New York City Hall spokesperson said that agencies must remove the popular short-form video-sharing app from all government devices within the next 30 days.
City employees will begin to lose access to the TikTok app and its website from all city-owned devices and networks.
"While social media is great at connecting New Yorkers with one another and the city, we have to ensure we are always using these platforms in a secure manner," a spokesperson said in the statement.
The spokesperson told NPR that the city's Cyber Command — the office tasked with protecting New York City's systems against cyber threats — regularly investigates and takes proactive measures to keep New Yorkers' data safe and as a result, determined that TikTok posed a security threat to the city's technical networks.
TikTok did not immediately respond to NPR's request for comment on the New York City ban.
Following news of the ban, New York City government accounts on TikTok have since ceased their postings.
The city's sanitation department account — which has more than 47,000 followers — said in its bio that the account "was operated by NYC until August 2023" and that it is "no longer monitored." The New York City Police Department's account, which has more than 267,000 followers, also said it was no longer active as of Thursday.
"Due to a policy change, this account is no longer active. Please follow us on our other social media accounts," the agency wrote in its latest and final post.
New York City joins a long list of places and governing bodies in banning the app across government-owned devices.
In May, Montana became the first state to ban the popular social media app after the state's governor, Greg Gianforte, signed a bill saying he wanted to protect residents' private information from being compromised.
"The Chinese Communist Party using TikTok to spy on Americans, violate their privacy, and collect their personal, private, and sensitive information is well-documented," Gianforte said.
Montana's ban will go into effect starting Jan. 1, 2024.
In December 2022, Maryland also banned the use of TikTok and certain China and Russia-based platforms in the state's executive branch — as former Gov. Larry Hogan announced a directive to prohibit the platforms' use.
Countries such as New Zealand and Canada took preventative measures in banning TikTok from some government devices earlier this year, citing privacy and data concerns for those who may use the app.
While there is no direct evidence that the Chinese government has ever accessed TikTok user data, TikTok says that it is independent of China and that any user data from the app in the U.S. remains protected.
veryGood! (935)
Related
- Justine Bateman feels like she can breathe again in 'new era' after Trump win
- Need a new tax strategy? These money-saving tips taken by Dec 31 may help pad your pockets
- Ford opens exclusive Bronco Off-Roadeo courses to non-owners for first time
- CBS shows are back after actors' strike ends. Here are the 2024 premiere dates
- Deommodore Lenoir contract details: 49ers ink DB to $92 million extension
- White House hoping Biden-Xi meeting brings progress on military communications, fentanyl fight
- CBS shows are back after actors' strike ends. Here are the 2024 premiere dates
- Why Jacob Elordi Is Throwing Shade at Ridiculous Kissing Booth Movies
- Larry Hobbs, who guided AP’s coverage of Florida news for decades, has died at 83
- Teens wrote plays about gun violence — now they are being staged around the U.S.
Ranking
- New Jersey will issue a drought warning after driest October ever and as wildfires rage
- 'Good Burger 2' star Kel Mitchell thanks fans after hospitalization, gives health update
- Charles at 75: Britain’s king celebrates birthday with full schedule as he makes up for lost time
- Chief of Cheer: This company will pay you $2,500 to watch 25 holiday movies in 25 days
- Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly are expecting their first child together
- Jury in Breonna Taylor federal civil rights trial opens deliberations in case of ex-officer
- Jim Harbaugh news conference: Everything Michigan coach said, from 'Judge Judy' to chickens
- Hell's Kitchen: Alicia Keys' life and music inspires a new musical
Recommendation
-
Donna Kelce Includes Sweet Nod to Taylor Swift During Today Appearance With Craig Melvin
-
The legendary designer of the DeLorean has something to say about Tesla's Cybertruck
-
What stores are open on Black Friday 2023? See hours for Walmart, Target, Macy's, more
-
Footprints lead rescuers to hypothermic hiker — wearing only a cotton hoodie — buried under snow on Colorado mountain
-
Supreme Court seems likely to allow class action to proceed against tech company Nvidia
-
Roland Pattillo helped keep Henrietta Lacks' story alive. It's key to his legacy
-
Harvest of horseshoe crabs, used for medicine and bait, to be limited to protect rare bird
-
Footprints lead rescuers to hypothermic hiker — wearing only a cotton hoodie — buried under snow on Colorado mountain