Universities Move To Ban TikTok In Crackdown Over Cybersecurity Fears

Some public U.S. universities have taken steps to ban or restrict access to TikTok on school devices and Wi-Fi networks. The decision follows mounting concerns that the short-form video-sharing app threatens national security.

CNN reports that the University of Oklahoma, Auburn University, and the 26 colleges and universities in the University System of Georgia have taken steps to prohibit access to TikTok for students and faculty by banning it from campus wireless networks.

The decision comes after several state governors signed legislation banning the app on state-issued devices.

Oklahoma ABC affiliate KOCO 5 reports Oklahoma State, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Central Oklahoma announced restrictions on the popular app after Oklahoma's Republican Governor, Kevin Stitt, signed Executive Order 2022-33.

"In compliance with the Governor's Executive Order 2022-33, effective immediately, no university employee or student shall access the TikTok application or website on University-owned or operated devices, including OU wired and wireless networks," the University of Oklahoma said in an email sent this week, CNN reports.

The University of Oklahoma student-run newspaper, OU Daily, reports the ban also includes deleting all university-affiliated TikTok pages.

Over a dozen states have announced TikTok bans on government-owned devices and by state employees. The concern stems from TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, and the ability of ByteDance employees in China to access U.S. user data. In November, FBI director Christopher Wray said TikTok was a potential threat to national security.

Wray said the Chinese government could use TikTok to influence international users and control device software.

TikTok is surging in popularity, particularly with Gen Z users. As other social media platforms lay off employees, TikTok is hiring and making a profit.

TikTok is attempting to make a security deal with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. However, the company has repeatedly said it does not use specific location data to track certain U.S. users.

Politico reports the Biden administration is reportedly considering a divestment and restructuring of TikTok. In 2020, former President Donald Trump attempted to ban the app unless a U.S. company partially owned it.

"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," said TikTok spokesperson Jamal Brown in a statement to CNN on Thursday.

"We're especially sorry to see the unintended consequences of these rushed policies beginning to impact universities' ability to share information, recruit students, and build communities around athletic teams, student groups, campus publications, and more," Brown added.