Bill banning TikTok app on state-owned devices gets approval
The state Senate unanimously approved a bill last week to codify a ban on the use of TikTok on state-owned devices.
“Hopefully, we will see the federal government and other states follow Georgia’s lead,” said Sen. Jason Anavitarte, R-Dallas, the bill’s sponsor.
Senate Bill 93, which cleared the Senate in the final days of the session, would codify into state law Gov. Brian Kemp’s directive last year prohibiting the use of TikTok, a highly popular video hosting service that runs user-submitted videos, and other similar applications on state-owned devices.
“I am proud of my colleagues on both sides of the Capitol for overwhelmingly supporting this legislation,” Anavitarte said in a release following the bill’s approval last week. “In the digital age, even seemingly benign applications by foreign adversaries can present a serious espionage threat. This legislation will keep Georgia on the forefront of this domestic security concern and proactively block malware from sensitive state computer systems in the future.”
TikTok is owned by a Chinese company, Byte Dance, and there is concern that its ties to the Chinese government could expose sensitive state data to a foreign government.
“It only takes one computer and one device to make us vulnerable,” Anavitarte told a state House committee last month. “The concern (is) …foreign adversaries having ownership (of social media platforms) and the security concerns on government devices.”
The bill would also apply to similar social media platforms that are directly or indirectly owned by foreign adversaries.
However, the bill provides exceptions for law-enforcement investigations, cybersecurity research and for other governmental purposes.
Georgia joins at least 25 other states that have banned TikTok on state-owned devices.
The federal government has already banned the application on governmentowned devices. Congress held a lengthy hearing on the matter last week that featured an appearance by TikTok CEO Shou Chew. A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced legislation that would ban the app entirely.
The Georgia bill now heads to Kemp’s desk for his signature.