New York City has decided to ban the use of TikTok on devices owned by the city and has mandated that government agencies delete the app within 30 days, The Verge reported.
This decision was made following an assessment conducted by the NYC Cyber Command, during which it was determined that TikTok presented a risk to the security of the city’s technical networks. With immediate effect, city staff are no longer allowed to download or utilize the TikTok app, and they are also restricted from accessing the TikTok website on any devices owned by the city.
A spokesperson from New York City‘s City Hall provided the following statement to The Verge:
“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. NYC Cyber Command regularly explores and advances proactive measures to keep New Yorkers’ data safe.”
On March 17, 2023, the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice initiated a probe into TikTok, which encompassed claims of the company engaging in surveillance of American journalists. TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on March 24, 2023, in an effort to advocate for the app. During his testimony, he addressed matters concerning TikTok’s approaches to safeguarding consumer privacy and data security, the app’s effects on mental health, and apprehensions about the security aspects related to ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok.
