Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced a new statewide security plan for Texas state agencies Monday, seeking to address vulnerabilities presented by the use of TikTok by banning the application from state government-issued devices and networks.

"The security risks associated with the use of TikTok on devices used to conduct the important business of our state must not be underestimated or ignored," said Gov. Abbott in a statement Monday.

"Owned by a Chinese company that employs Chinese Communist Party members, TikTok harvests significant amounts of data from a user's device, including details about a user's internet activity...It is critical that state agencies and employees are protected from the vulnerabilities presented by the use of this app and other prohibited technologies as they work on behalf of their fellow Texans."

Abbott's decision makes Texas the latest state to take concrete action addressing security concerns regarding TikTik, joining South Dakota, South Carolina, Maryland, and others who have banned the use of TikTok on government-issued devices.

Texas' statewide plan would prevent the download or use of TikTok and other prohibited technologies on state-issued devices, including cell phones, laptops, tablets, and desktop computers.

Each state agency has until February 15, 2023, to implement its own policy to enforce the governor's plan.

Abbott also seeks to prohibit employees or contractors from conducting state business on devices with prohibited technologies. The plan also includes restrictions from using TikTok and other prohibited technologies on state-issued internet networks.

Monday's action against TikTok was not Abbott's first move to limit access to the app. In December 2022, Abbott directed state agency leaders to immediately ban employees from downloading or using TikTok on any government-issued devices. The governor cited what he calls a growing threat posed by the Communist Chinese party.

"TikTok harvests vast amounts of data from its users' devices—including when, where, and how they conduct Internet activity—and offers this trove of potentially sensitive information to the Chinese government," read a letter Abbott sent to Texas' Lt. Gov Dan Patrick and state Speaker Dan Phelan in December.

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